Prefer to print this page? (opens in a new window)

Brightspace Pre-Semester Prep

Copy Course Components

The instructions below outline the recommended way to copy a course in Brightspace. This process should be used for copying whole classes and/or just pieces of classes. Watch these instructions as a video

Open the course you wish to copy materials into, your destination. For a new semester, this will be your empty course.
Click Course Admin in the course navigation bar.
Click Import/Export/Copy Components.
Select Copy Components from another Org Unit and then click Search for offering.
Enter the name or course ID of the source course, what you want to copy from.
Click the circle to the left of the course name (make sure you look at the course ID as many courses look the same) and then click Add Selected.
Choose one copy method:
- Click Copy All Components to copy everything from the source course. The copy process will begin immediately.
- Click Select Components to choose specific components to copy. This will take you through a series of pages where you indicate what to copy.
  - If you want to copy all of a certain type of component (e.g. all of the Assignments), select the box for the whole component type and leave the Copy all items option.
  - If you want to copy just specific item of a component type (e.g. just one Assignment), select the Select Individual Items to Copy option.
  - If you are copying Content, you must also select Course Files. The Course Files component may also be required for other components if you use embedded images or attachments, including but not limited to quiz questions or discussions.
  - If you use any external learning tools such as Turnitin, VoiceThread or publisher content, you must also select External Learning Tool Links.
  - If any of your activities are also associated with a grade item, you must also select Grades.

Depending on the size of the copy, it may take a while.

⚠️ We do not recommend exporting content from Brightspace or another learning management system as a file to your computer and then uploading it into Brightspace, unless absolutely necessary. Please reach out to cite@sjf.edu if you have any questions.

Screenshot of the Brightspace Course Administration page. There is a pink box around an icon with arrows up and down and text that reads Import (slash) Export (slash) Copy Components.

Screenshot of Brightspace Import/Export/Copy Components page. At the bottom of the page there are two thin horizontal buttons side by side. The first has a blue background and white text that reads Copy All Components. The second is gray with black text and says Select Components. There is a pink box around the blue and gray buttons.

Partial Course Copy

Do you need to bring over elements from one course to another? The partial course copy process allow you to select specific items to copy (i.e. individual quizzes, files, or assignments).

Make Your Course Active

The process of Brightspace course creation is automatic each semester. However, it is the responsibility of each faculty member to make their course/s active.

From the course navigation, click Course Admin.
Under Site Setup, click Course Offering Information.
Scroll down the page. Check the box for Course is active.

If a course is not active, students will not see the course at all.

Screenshot of the Brightspace Course Admin page. There is a pink box around an icon of a book and text that reads Course Offering Information.

What to do at the end of the semester with an incomplete student?

Even if the End Date of the course is in the past, as long as the course is Active, students can still go into the course, see course materials and complete assignments.

Note: Notifications do not send out past the Course End Date, if you need to notify students it is recommended to contact them via email.

To the top left, there is header text that says Active. Below that, there is a checked box and text to the right that says Course is active.

Create a message and/or video to welcome students to the course

In many instances, a Brightspace course might be the first thing students see or experience about your course. Use one or more of these strategies to make them feel welcome.

Create a short video through VideoNote to welcome students and orient them to the layout of the course. While some elements in a Brightspace course will stay the same course to course, some elements are different. Show students where they can find the important pieces of the course.
Utilize announcements to post an update welcoming students once the course is open.
Use the Overview page (above the Table of Content on the Content page) to post a course overview and other information students might find helpful.

Instructor is sending an announcement through VideoNote.

Please note that there is currently a bug with VideoNote that prevents users from recording more than 3 minutes on an iPad. If you need to record for more than 3 minutes, please use a computer.

Additional Resources

Getting ready for the semester? These links might be helpful to you

When using educational technology tools, be FERPA aware. To learn more, visit the Registrar's FERPA Guidelines site.

Page updated

Report abuse