D2L August 2022 Updates
D2L August 2022 Updates avatar

D2L August 2022 Updates

Assignments – Access new shortcuts to undo and redo PDF annotations on evaluations 

Previously, the only way to remove PDF annotations in Assignments was to use the eraser tool or delete the selection. Now, an undo/redo button is added for PDF annotations when evaluating in Assignments. Alternatively, standard keyboard shortcuts are now also supported for undoing and redoing annotations:

  • Ctrl-z | Command-z (Apple) – Undo
  • Ctrl-Shift-z | Command-Shift-z (Apple) – Redo
Figure: The top of the image shows the menu bar before the update; the bottom shows the menu bar after the update.
Quizzes – End of Life for Disable Right Click option | Removed

As of this release, the Disable Right Click option in quizzes is removed from Quizzes in Brightspace Learning Environment. The option is no longer available in Quiz Setup, and existing quizzes with the setting no longer enforce the limitation on learners.

This option was previously intended to allow Instructors to disable right-clicking during the time a learner was taking quiz, thus making it more difficult for learners ability to copy or print the quiz and share it with others. However, as browsers have reduced the ability for web sites to control end-user behavior, the Disable Right Click setting could not necessarily be applied to all students, and it provided a false sense of security around quiz content.

For instructors looking for similar functionality, the ability remains in Honorlock.

Quizzes – Save time and prevent data loss with the Restore Deleted Quizzes functionality | New

This feature adds a new option in quizzes that allows instructors to restore deleted quizzes. This option appears in the More Actions menu in the Quizzes tool. Instructors using this option are provided with a list of deleted quizzes that indicates when they were deleted and by whom, along with a button to restore a selected quiz.

Restored quizzes automatically have any associated quiz attempts that were already taken, statistics, and scores for those quiz attempts restored as well. Learning Outcomes associated to quiz questions are unaffected, and re-appear with the questions when the quiz is restored. Links to a grade item and competencies are not restored.

Please note that only quizzes deleted since this feature was added can be restored through the new restore UI.
Brightspace Editor – Easily insert code snippets with the Insert Code option | New

There is a new option in Brightspace HTML Editor that allows instructors to directly insert a code snippet into their content. This is done by selecting the Other Insert Options menu from the Editor toolbar, and then selecting the new Insert Code option. From there, instructors select their programming language from a list of available choices and add their code into the interface to format before inserting it into the Editor.

Previously, instructors had to use the <code> tag and build out their own code to add a code snippet in the editor.

Note: The Insert Code option is not available in the Quizzes tool.

Insert Code Option
Insert code interface
Code snippet inserted into the Brightspace editor.

PEN Upgrade Started
PEN Upgrade Started avatar

PEN Upgrades started yesterday. The goal is to complete PEN 1 and PEN 2 before fall classes start, and then to complete PEN 3 and PEN 4 between Fall and Spring classes. While IT’s anticipated timeline has PEN 1 and PEN 2 completed before classes start, we want to be sure there is a plan in place for the first week or so of classes in the event that there is some type of delay for either of those circuits. Also, since time is a bit tight with this install, we will be prepared to have assistance available for instructors teaching on PEN 1 or PEN 2 for their first class in the upgraded rooms. PEN 3 and PEN 4 will continue to operate as they have in the past until the end of the year. As always, please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or concerns.

(Copied from an email Karla Gilliam shared on 8.2.22)