What is the Brightspace Text Editor?
The Brightspace Editor integrates with all D2L Brightspace Learning Environment tools that have HTML content creation capabilities. For example, the HTML Editor is available when you edit discussion topics, create custom instructions for assignment folders, create ePortfolio artifacts, create content topics, or create webpages.
Prefer video instructions?
Visit this resource here: Making Use of the HTML Editor
Accessing the Brightspace Editor
The Brightspace editor appears in multiple tools and content areas within your Brightspace course. Below are some examples of where you can access the editor:
Using an HTML Document in the Content area
Adding instructions for an assignment, quiz, etc.
Adding a description for a file, link, video, etc.
Posting a Discussion topic or reply
Sending Emails from your Classlist
Editing widgets from your course homepage
For descriptions of each of the tools, see HTML Document
Text Formatting
Strikethrough, Superscript, or Subscript text
While bold, italic, and underline are easily accessible, there are additional text format options available.
Highlight the text you want to format, then click the arrow next to Underline
Select strikethrough, superscript, or subscript from, the drop-down menu.
Add Heading Styles
Use heading styles to structure your text and make your content more accessible for students using screen readers.
To add a heading style:
Click the format drop-down menu (set to Paragraph by default)
Select a Heading style (H1, H2, H3, etc.) from the drop-down menu.
Font Colour
Text can be changed to any colour. Please keep in mind Accessibility and UDL Principles if you’re changing text colour.
Highlight the text you want to format, then click the Select Colour button to open the Select a Colour window.
Select a font colour or enter a hex value.
Changing Text Alignment
Users are able to manipulate the alignment of the text based on their needs.
Place your cursor where you want to align the text, or highlight the text you want to format.
Click the alignment button
Select an alignment option from the menu.
Add a Bulleted or Numbered List
The list tool allows for the creation of different lists. Users also have the ability to increase and decrease the indent on listed items to align them with other sections.
Place your cursor where you want to create a list, or highlight the text you want to format.
Click the Bulleted list button
Select the Bulleted list or Numbered list from the drop-down menu. You can also increase or decrease the indent of listed items from this menu.
Additions in the Text Editor
Add Page Dividers
Page dividers can be a helpful tool to separate blocks of text or varying pieces of content.
Place your cursor where you want to add a divider.
Click the other insert options button
Select Divider from the drop-down menu.
Add Emojis
While some may not consider them “professional”, emojis and similar symbols add a small visual element to what could otherwise be a bland text block of content.
Add Emojis
In the Brightspace editor, place your cursor where you want to insert an emoji.
Click the other insert options icon in the editor
Select Emojis from the drop-down menu.
In the Emojis pop-up, select an emoji.
Add Equations
The Graphical Equation Editor enables users to insert mathematical equations within the Brightspace Editor. It supports the input of MathML, LaTeX, graphical, and chemistry equations.
Access the text-editor you wish to create an equation in.
Click the other insert options icon in the editor
Click the Equation icon to see the equation options.
From the Equation drop-down list, do one of the following:
To insert a graphical equation, click Graphical equation.
To insert a LaTeX equation, click LaTeX equation.
To insert a MathML equation, click MathML equation.
To insert a chemistry equation, click Chemistry equation.
In the Insert Equation window, enter your equation using keyboard characters and your cursor to select symbols from the tabs.
Click Insert.
Click Save or Publish or Update to save your work. The options will vary depending on which tool you are using the Text Editor within.
Insert Code Snippets in the Brightspace Editor
With coding knowledge, users can spice up their content with various learning objects and content-structuring not normally supported by the basic Brightspace text-editor.
Access the Brightspace Editor and place your text cursor in the spot where you wish to create a code snippet.
Click the Other Insert Options icon in the editor toolbar.
Select Insert Code from the drop-down menu.
Once you select Insert Code from the menu, a source code editor will open in place of the text editor.
Adjust your display settings:
Select your coding language from the drop-down menu in the top right-hand corner.
Click on the bullet icon to enable or disable line numbering.
Toggle between dark mode and light mode using the moon/sun icon.
Enter your code the same as you would in a source code editor.
Click on the code snippet to edit it after it has been inserted into the text editor
Click the checkmark to save and insert the snippet into the HTML Editor.
Insert Symbols
Symbols include special characters such as currency, Latin, arrows, and more.
In the Brightspace editor, place your cursor where you want to insert a symbol.
Click the other insert options icon in the editor
Select Symbols from the drop-down menu.
In the Special Character pop-up, select the symbol you want to.
Embed Multimedia
Inserting an Image in the Brightspace Editor
Images can be a great way to break up text in a content space, as well as providing visual aid to learning material. Please add alternative text if the image isn’t decorative.
Access the Brightspace Editor you wish to add the image to.
Move your cursor to the location in the Brightspace Editor textbox where you would like to place the image.
Click the Insert Image button in the Editor toolbar
Choose the image location:
If the image is on the computer, select the My Computer button. Choose the file from your computer and drag and drop it on the designated area or click Upload to select the image from your computer, click the selected image and then click Add.
If the image is located on the web, select URL. Enter or paste the web address for the image, then click Add.
If the image is located within the course, select the Course Offering Files. Choose the file from your course files, then click Add.
Once you click Add, the system will prompt you to add an alternative text for the image selected. To ensure that the image is accessible to all users, enter a short description of it on the field Alternative Text or check the ‘This image is decorative’ box if it is a decorative image.
Select OK.
Click Save or Publish or Update to save your work.
Inserting a QuickLink into a Brightspace Editor
Quicklinks are direct links to existing files or activities in your Brightspace course that can be inserted anywhere the Brightspace Editor appears (descriptions, announcements, discussion forums, etc.). For example, you could insert Quicklinks into a module description to link to assessments (Assignments, Quizzes, etc.) that you would like your students to complete for that particular week/module. Quicklinks can enhance course navigation and help make your course files/activities easier for students to find.
NOTE: It is recommended to use the Quicklink tool instead of copying and pasting a URL link. Quicklinks will continue to work if your content is exported or copied to another course.
Access the Brightspace Editor you wish to add the Quicklink to.
Select the location for the link within the Brightspace editor textbox.
Click the Insert Quicklink icon on the Editor toolbar.
A pop-up window will open with two categories: Course Materials and Third Party.
Select the course item you wish to insert into your HTML Editor.
The pop-up window will close and a URL will be generated to link.
Continue to edit your content in the Brightspace Editor.
Click Save or Publish or Update to save your work. The options will vary depending on which tool you are using the Editor within.
Insert Media Library Video/Audio Files
The Media Library can be accessed from the cog icon next to one’s profile in the top right hand corner of Brightspace. all manner of multimedia can be uploaded there.
Access the Brightspace Editor you wish to add your media to.
Click the Insert Stuff button in the Editor toolbar
In the Insert Stuff pop-up window, select where you will be uploading your media from.
To insert a video/audio file from Media Library:
Select Insert Media Library.
Click the Embed button next to the video you want to upload.
You will see a preview of your selected media. Click Insert to embed your media into the HTML editor or Back to make changes to your selection. Your media will automatically appear in the HTML editor.
Click Save or Publish to make your media visible to students.
Insert a File from Your Computer
It is possible to embed certain files from your computer directly into the text-editor. This is done with use of the Insert Stuff tool.
Access the Brightspace Editor you wish to add the image to.
Click the Insert Stuff button in the Editor toolbar
In the Insert Stuff pop-up window, select My Computer.
Click Choose file, then select a file from your computer.
Click Upload.
Wish to learn more about inserting media and the Insert Stuff tool?
Check out: Insert Stuff
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