Getting Started
Welcome to Brightspace!
Brightspace is a learning management system developed by D2L to make teaching and learning online easy, fun, and accessible. If you are new to Brightspace or not comfortable with the system yet, we recommend watching this video and looking at the basic information below to get started. For more information on Brightspace and its various tools, check out our Student Tutorials in the menu above.
Brightspace works on phones, computers & tablets. Ensure you have the latest version of Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge to ensure the greatest compatibility.
If you ever have Brightspace trouble, a good first thing to do is clear your browser's cache OR try another browser. Use the 'Help' menu to reach out to tech support and contact your instructor if you can't find something in your course.
Did you know that your course opens early in Brightspace? All courses should open 3 days before the course's start date! Please note that you should always follow instructions from your instructor if any work is required before the Start Date.
Visit the Brightspace Toolbox
NICC enrolls all students in a dedicated online course called the Brightspace Toolbox. This is a place where each student can develop, at their own pace, their individual skillset as an online learner. If you are unable to access this resource, please reach out to us and we can add you in. Click here to get started!
We created this course not only as an onboarding resource for you to learn about the different aspects of the Brightspace learning environment but also as a handy toolbox you can return to, as needed, to learn more about what you can do in Brightspace.
In the Toolbox, you can even practice using Brightspace tools and features like Quizzes, Discussions, Assignments, Video Note, and Zoom outside of a "live" class environment.
This course will always be available to you during your enrollment at NICC. Once you've registered for your classes, you're in! Check out the Brightspace Toolbox anytime from My Courses on the Brightspace homepage. Once the semester is underway, you can also access it right from the Getting Started module in any course you're enrolled in.
Find the Brightspace Toolbox under My Courses.
Upload a Brightspace Profile Picture
In Brightspace, select your profile icon/name in the top right corner
Select Profile
On the left, select Change Picture to upload a picture from your computer
Click Add
Click Save or Save and Close when done
Subscribe to Course Update Notifications
Select your profile icon/name in the top-right of the page
Click on 'Notifications'
Enroll in Notifications to receive course updates via email
Click Save when done
Select Your Preferred Pronouns
In Brightspace, select your profile icon/name in the top right corner
Select Account Settings
Enable the checkbox to 'Allow others to see my pronouns'
Choose 'Use different pronouns' as we currently do not pre-populate this information
Set your preferred pronouns
Select 'Save and Close'
Download the Brightspace Pulse App
Visit the Android Google Play Store or Apple App Store
Search for 'Brightspace Pulse App' to Download
Link Your NICC Google Account to Brightspace
By linking your NICC Google Account to Brightspace, you can quickly launch into your Gmail, Google Calendar and Google Drive. Additionally, students can easily upload files from their Google Drive to Assignment folders in Brightspace.
Note: This functionality only works for @NICC accounts. It will not work for @gmail accounts.
Visit a Brightspace course homepage and locate the 'NICC Google Account' widget.
Select the link in the widget to 'Link to your Google Workspace account'.
A 'Link to Existing Account' screen will appear. Your username should automatically fill in the box. Select the 'Link Account' button.
An authorize button will appear in the NICC Google Account widget. Select 'Authorize'.
A pop-up window may appear and you may have to log in to your NICC account at this time. Proceed to follow the on-screen instructions.
Links to your NICC Gmail, Calendar and Google Drive will now appear.
New to NICC?
Watch this video or go through the New Student Orientation in Mycampus for information on how to get started with the technological tools available to you at NICC.