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There are various types of files that can be embedded directly into the Brightspace Content area. Each have their own way of being embedded into Brightspace, either through Add Existing or Create New → Page.
Some files can be embedded directly into the Content Area with full or limited functionality, or they can be embedded as a link.
PDFs can be embedded directly into Content or they can be added as a link in a Page. The two options depend on how an instructor wishes to display their content.
Embedding a PDF directly into Content
There are two ways to embed a PDF into the Content area. Option 1: Drag and drop the PDF file from wherever it is stored on the computer directly into the Table of Contents on the left of the Content area. A PDF dragged from Documents onto Weekly Lessons unit The PDF will automatically upload into the Content area into the folder that it was dragged into. The PDF is now within the Weekly Lessons unit Option 2: Select the content item to embed the PDF under, and click the Add Existing button. With the desired folder selected, choose “Add Existing” Either drag and drop the PDF file from the C: Drive or My Documents folder, or click browse to browse files on the computer. Select “Browse” or drag files into the dotted space The PDF will become embedded in the Content area. Instructors can organize it as they see fit. See for some tips on organizing content. The PDF is now within the Weekly Lessons unit
Embedding a PDF from an online source as a link
Create a Page or edit an existing Page content item. Learn more about how to create Pages and their versatility here: In the Page editor, paste the link to the PDF in the Page Content. It will automatically become a link. If wishing to change what the link says (as opposed to the URL address), click the link and then click the Edit Link icon. There is an option to change the title. Click Update to secure the change. The “Edit Link” icon (pencil)
Word Documents
Word Documents are displayed as PDFs in the Contentarea. Students are not able to edit a Word Document in Brightspace, however the original file can be downloaded from the … menu above the document.
There are two ways to embed a Word Document into the Content area. Option 1: Drag and drop the Word Document file from wherever it is stored on the computer directly into the Table of Contents on the left of the Content area. Word Document dragged into the Weekly Lessons unit The Word Document will automatically upload into the Content area as a PDF into the folder it was dragged into. Word Doc now within the Weekly Lessons unit Option 2: Select the content item to embed the Word Document under, and click the Add Existing button. With the desired folder selected, choose Add Existing Either drag and drop the Word Document file from a C: Drive or My Documents folder, or click browse to browse files on the computer. Click “Browse” or drag the document into the dotted space The Word Document will become embedded in the Content area as a PDF. Instructors can organize it as they like. See for some tips on organizing content. Word document is now within the Weekly Lessons unit
YuJa Videos
YuJa is the main platform for Brock’s instructors to create, edit, and store lecture recordings and other video content. Instructions for embedding YuJa videos can be found in our CPI documentation on embedding YuJa videos.
YouTube Videos
Many instructors find it useful to include YouTubevideos in their lecture content. While it is possible to simply cut and paste a YouTube URL into the Page Content area of a Page, there is also a simple way of embedding the video directly into the content.
Create a Page or edit an existing Page content item. Learn more about how to create Pages and their versatility here: In the Page Content text-editor, select Insert Stuff and scroll to the bottom of the list. YouTube is near the bottom, click it. Insert Stuff button in the HTML Text-Editor. YouTube is halfway down the Insert Stuff menu Instructors will be prompted to search for the video. Can either paste in the URL or search by title. Once the appropriate video is selected, click Next in the bottom left-hand corner of the window. Selected video is in blue This displays a Preview page detailing the YouTube video URL, as well as the dimension sizes for the window being embedded. Click Insert in the bottom left-hand corner of the window. Clicking “Insert” completes the embedding Once inserted, the embedded YouTube video will appear in the Page Content. It can be played directly from the Content section. YouTube video is now within the Week 2 lesson
PowerPoints
PowerPoint’s PPTX files will be converted to a PDF when viewed in Brightpace. This makes the slides available on the web but removes all interactivity. The original file can be downloaded from the … menu above the PDF version of the slides.
Below are steps outlining two ways to insert PowerPoint files, one that converts to a PDF and one that sustains the PPTX file format.
Embedding as a PDF
There are two ways to embed a PowerPoint as a PDF into the Content area. Option 1: Drag and drop the PowerPoint file from wherever it is stored on the computer directly into the Table of Contents on the left of the Content area. PowerPoint dragged into Weekly Lessons unit The PowerPoint will automatically upload into the Content area as a PDF into the folder it was dragged into. PowerPoint is now within the Weekly Lessons unit Option 2: Select the content item to embed the PowerPoint under, and click the Add Existing button. With the desired folder selected, choose Add Existing Either drag and drop the PowerPoint file from the C: Drive or My Documents, or click browse to browse files on the computer. Click “Browse” or drag the file into the dotted space The PowerPoint will become embedded in the Content area as a scroll-able PDF. Instructors can organize it as they like. See for some tips on organizing content. PowerPoint is now within the Weekly Lessons unit
Embedding as a Video
Instructors can use this to record a lecture with audio, slide timing, graphics, etc. Microsoft provides a detailed step-by-step article explaining how to save a PowerPoint presentation as a video.
In PowerPoint, go to File → Export → Create a Video Clicking File → Export → Create a Video Upload and embed the video file in the Content area of the course using a , by using Insert Stuff to access the YuJa library. See for more information.
Embedding as a Downloadable Link
If a PowerPoint is uploaded to Content, it is embedded as a pdf, but the original .pptx file is saved in Course Files. This file can be linked to Content for students to download.
If an instructor hasn’t added the PowerPoint file to their site yet, navigate to Course Tools → Course Admin → Manage Files. Course Admin is under the Course Tools menu on the navbar Manage Files is under Site Resources in the Course Admin Click Upload and add the PowerPoint file to Course Files. Upload is along the top area in Manage Files Go to Content and create a Page or edit an existing Page content item. More information on how to create Pages and their versatility can be found at this article: Click the Insert Quicklink icon. “Insert Quicklink” icon In the Insert Quicklink menu, choose Course File. Course File is along the top of the Insert Quicklink menu From there, instructors are given the ability to search for files already present in their Course Files. Choose the PowerPoint file and a download link will appear.
Embedding via OneDrive/SharePoint
If PowerPoint files are stored online in a Brock SharePoint site, or in another file sharing system that has the ability to share access publicly (which is not the case with Brock OneDrive), they can be made “shareable” and then embedded into the Content area.
The video below explains the process of embedding via SharePoint. Please note: The type of browser being used can potentially impact whether the steps outlined in the video work properly. Instructors could also share PowerPoints from personal Outlook or Google accounts, although they’re not technically supported by Brock's CPI. Outlook or Google will provide embed codes through their sharing options. Instructors will find standard embed options when editing a Page item and using the Insert Stuff button: Create a new or edit a Page Click Insert Stuff in the Page Content text box. Select Enter Embed Code and paste the embed code from the file sharing service.
Keeping the Original File-type Intact
Some instructors may find it inconvenient that Brightspace converts most file types to PDFs upon being embedded. Fortunately, instructors can create downloadable links in the content area which can grant students the ability to download the original file-type.
If an instructor hasn’t added the file to their site yet, navigate to Course Tools → Course Admin → Manage Files. Course Admin is under the Course Tools menu on the navbar Manage Files is under Site Resources in the Course Admin Click Upload and add the files to Course Files. Upload is along the top of Manage Files Go to Content and create a Page or edit an existing Page content item. Learn more about how to create Pages and their versatility here: Click the Insert Quicklink icon. “Insert Quicklink” icon In the Insert Quicklink menu, choose Course File. Course File is along the top of the Quicklink menu From there, instructors are given the ability to search for files already present in their Course Files. Choose the files to make downloadable and a download link will appear.
