This month the changes to Brightspace are not as dramatic as last month but the interface improvements continue. All changes described below will take effect June 16, 2021.

First, there is a new format painter in the text editor. This addition makes it easier to make text formatting match. Along the same line, in the Quizzes tool, LaTex is now rendered inline, no more need to use the LaTex equation option.

For the social media mavens, @mentions are now a thing in Brightspace. Use @mentions to tag other users to draw attention to contributions in discussions or to direct comments. After some preliminary testing we’ll determine when to roll out this functionality.

For instructors using the mail function, copies of all outgoing mail messages will be saved in the system. Clicking on the envelope icon in the minibar at the top of the page and then selecting email brings up the email window. Selecting the “Sent mail” tab brings up a list of all sent messages. Currently, users must check a box to save sent messages. After the update, copies of all sent messages will be saved.

If you use rubrics, you may see some new behavior, should you delete an evaluated rubric from an assignment. When deleting a rubric from an assignment that has already been evaluated, you will see a confirmation window alerting you to the deletion of the completed rubric assessments. Reordinging rubric criterion groups becomes easier in the new rubric experience. Direction arrows will appear to allow moving of groups. Finally, if you use rubrics and grade through the grade book, the new rubric experience will now be part of that workflow.

One final new feature is improvements in handling SCORM content is exported to a package and imported into a new course, the content is relinked so that the content renders correctly. Previously, the imported links would point to the content in the original course and access permissions would cause errors.