Students and Instructors
Brightspace Pulse – Update
- The Brightspace Pulse app will stagger the release of its latest update until January 2025 to enhance the user experience with improved mobile browser integration, which includes:
- New seamless access to external tools and embedded course content.
- New security upgrades that strengthen login and content access for a safer learning environment.
Chromebooks and Respondus Update
We are pleased to announce that Chromebooks are now compatible with Respondus Lockdown Browser at UofG/GH. After various version updates and fixes, we will release Respondus LockDown Browser for Chromebooks starting November 12, 2024. The release will be considered in Beta until further notice. This new feature aims to enhance accessibility and convenience for our students.
Instructor Only
Dropbox – Prevent sections without evaluators in Advanced Assessments
This release updates the Advanced Assessments workflow to ensure users assign at least one evaluator from each section.
Previously, when instructors were unenrolled from a course, attempts to evaluate assignments from sections with no assigned evaluators could result in problematic scenarios.
To ensure a smooth user experience in these edge cases, a warning message now appears on the Assignment Creation page when evaluators are not assigned to a learner for the activity due to section restrictions.
During the period of unenrollment, the warning message in the Manage Allocations dialog informs users that some evaluators are being removed. Instructors or administrators should redistribute these learners to other evaluators.
After unenrollment is complete, the Manage Allocations table displays another warning message under the names of selected learners, indicating that they no longer have an assigned evaluator in their section.
Groups – Restore groups and categories
A new Recycle Bin option is available in the Groups tool, enabling you to restore individual group units or entire categories within a course offering. When you restore groups, existing enrollments and lockers are also reinstated (if present). Any activities linked to the restored groups, such as discussions or assignments, can then be individually restored through their respective restore pages.
Learning Outcomes – Release Condition based on outcome evaluation status in Dropbox, Quizzes, and Discussions
This feature adds a release condition that automatically triggers the release of content and activities when a learner meets a specified achievement level for an outcome. It can only be aligned directly with activities in the Discussions, Quizzes, and Dropbox tools.
This release condition allows instructors to create customized learning experiences by setting conditions based on learners reaching designated outcomes.
SYL support moved to CourseLink Support
To increase service hours and align support with CourseLink Support expertise, the model for supporting the SYL (outline) software has changed. Please send all support requests regarding the creation, approval, or publication of course outlines to CourseLink Support.
Questions regarding CIM, course and program change modules, for governance can continue to be directed to courseleaf@uoguelph.ca.
Zoom – Release of Zoom AI Companion
We are excited to announce the release of the new Zoom AI Companion feature, designed to enhance your virtual meeting experience with advanced AI capabilities. This feature will assist in notetaking, transcription, and providing real-time insights during your Zoom meetings.
Important Usage Guidelines:
The Zoom AI Companion feature should only be used for non-sensitive data. To ensure the security and confidentiality of our information, please refrain from using this feature for any data classified as Confidential (S3) or higher. Examples of Confidential (S3) level items that should not be used with the AI tools include:
- Personal identifiable information (PII) as defined in FIPPA.
- Financial information including bank account details, credit card numbers, and financial statements.
- Student/employee numbers.
- Student grades.
- Research data containing PII or health information.
- Sensitive employee information including performance reviews, disciplinary actions, and medical records.
More information about the Data Classification Policy can be found on the CCS and Information Security Policies, Guidelines, Standards, and Statements page.
We appreciate your cooperation in adhering to these guidelines to maintain the integrity and security of our data. If you have any questions or need further clarification, please do not hesitate to reach out to CourseLink Support.
Enabling Zoom AI Companion
By default, the Zoom AI Companion feature is disabled. Individuals with a Zoom Pro (Meetings) license or higher can enable the Zoom AI Companion tools in their account settings.
Settings and Configuration for Zoom AI Companion
Thank you for your attention and support.
Contact
If you have any questions about the updates, please contact CourseLink Support at:
courselink@uoguelph.ca
519-824-4120 ext. 56939