Brightspace LMS Reviews

Pros

The collaborative features in the software that allow me to engage in discussions and utilize commenting features are incredibly beneficial for running an engaging classroom. Moreover, the software's device compatibility is a significant factor in enabling me to access the learning content from any technology I own.

Cons

As a user from a smaller school, I find this learning management system to be unaffordable. It would be great to have a product that caters to small groups and is offered at a reduced rate.

Pros

I appreciate how Brightspace grants me access to all of my courses through a single, simple dashboard. Not only do I receive notifications for updates, publications, and reviews, but I also have access to a list of fellow students enrolled in the course. This proves extremely helpful when I have a question and prefer asking my peers instead of directly contacting the instructor. This application is very intuitive and straightforward, which is particularly helpful for someone like me who isn't the most tech-savvy.

Cons

Personally, I'm not a fan of how the courses aren't automatically saved once I finish them. I often like to go back and review previous course materials.

Pros

There are so many aspects of this product that I like! It's incredibly easy to design courses and teach students using it.

Cons

At times, it can be difficult for me to find the results of the test. It's not obvious where to access them, and it takes some time to locate them.

Pros

The module functions are user-friendly. They work great for asynchronous learning and make it easy to transfer content each semester.

Cons

The "Turn it on" feature doesn't work on PDFs, causing students to struggle to see answers on quizzes.

Pros

Brightspace is flawless. It allows me to access my grades, assignments, class resources, discussion forums, and online lectures from anywhere. It is compatible with all devices, including laptops, desktops, and phones. The help services provided by Brightspace are clearly outlined and always available. The customer service skills are excellent as well.

Cons

Brightspace can be challenging when teachers are unfamiliar with its proper usage. A simple video tutorial for each feature would greatly enhance the usability of Brightspace.

Pros

The most impactful features of BrightSpace for me are the discussion opportunities, auto-grading, and navigation.

Cons

The only drawback of this LMS is its cost.

Pros

It's user-friendly and has a welcoming user interface.

Cons

Some of the tools, such as entering grades and individual reporting, could have been slightly better.

Pros

What I liked most about Brightspace was its simple yet effective organization. It's evident that the software was designed with students' success in mind. The organization of chapters, sections, topics, and individual assignments on the side panel remains consistent across all subjects I'm studying. The top bar allows me to click on pages that act as filters for different class materials. I can easily view all assessments, assignments, and grades in one place. Additionally, every item is linked back to its corresponding source, so if I'm unsure about "assignment 2" while looking at it in the gradebook, I can simply click on it to be redirected to the original post. The software also provides notifications for open assignments and reminders for upcoming exams and homework deadlines. Having used other platforms like Canvas, Blackboard, and Google Classroom, I can confidently say that these functions are not common and other platforms can sometimes be extremely difficult and confusing to navigate. However, I never encountered such issues with D2L.

Cons

I must say, it's hard to find any qualms about D2L Brightspace. I haven't noticed any negative aspects during my entire usage of the software.

Pros

Brightspace is fully functional, allowing me to upload work, access grades, and more.

Cons

The user interface is unattractive and lacks intuitiveness.

Pros

It's easy to see what's next and where I'm at. This reduces visual clutter and the number of steps needed to reach my desired destination.

Cons

Occasionally, it could be a bit slow, but I believe that was due to a server or isolated IT issue.

Pros

It's a fairly standard educational online platform for E-Learning. I was able to quickly learn how to use Brightspace.

Cons

When my school switched to Brightspace without a proper transition from the previous platform, it made it a bit difficult for both faculty and students to adjust to the new system.

Pros

The interface has an appealing appearance, and it's easy to sort students. The discussion board threading works well, and the left-hand menu bar is straightforward to navigate. I appreciate the multiple pathways to different areas within the course, and the integration of seminars is both easy and convenient.

Cons

It would be helpful if the seminar allowed me to review the actual comments as I grade. The integration of a competency-based rubric can be clunky, and when there are multiple components for an assignment, one can overwrite the other in a frustrating way, requiring multiple steps to finalize a grade. The announcements section has become difficult for students to read, although it could be specific to our setup.

Pros

Brightspace is highly navigable and customizable. Its aesthetics are appealing, and users familiar with platforms like Wordpress will find it relatively easy to use. It also shares similarities with popular social media platforms for students, making it comfortable for them. Managing grades, assignments, and embedding external links feels seamless. D2L provides excellent tutorials as well. If you're migrating from another system, Brightspace's similarities mean there won't be a steep learning curve. I love how effortless it is to build a template course and transfer various components or modules to a new one.

Cons

Personally, my only con is subjective, but I've encountered difficulties with embedded links like videos. Removing items from the Grades section (the gradebook) is also quite challenging and requires viewing tutorials due to its roundabout process.

Pros

I've never encountered any issues when it comes to accessing assignments. I love receiving push notifications when items are graded, allowing me to see my overall grade for the course.

Cons

I believe Brightspace has everything it needs. Nothing seems to be missing.

Pros

Once I grasped how to use it, this tool became amazing for collecting and assessing student work. I can instantly identify which students haven't submitted their assignments or who has completed them quickly and effectively. Providing feedback is also straightforward.

Cons

It took me a while to get the hang of Brightspace, but the videos worked well.

Pros

This software is incredibly user-friendly. I can easily access quizzes, assignments, grades, and track my progress. Announcements and pending work are also clearly visible.

Cons

Occasionally, the site would go down if there was too much traffic, but that rarely happened.

Pros

I must admit that I haven't found anything I like about the Brightspace program. The only positive aspect I can think of is that the college has integrated a complementary tool (Zoom) for live synchronous meetings, and accessing recordings within the course tools is simple.

Cons

From an instructor's perspective, Brightspace is not intuitive. Changing points requires multiple adjustments in different places. Constantly switching to the "student view" to check if instructions have loaded correctly or saved recent changes is not an efficient way to work or make course edits. Adding points when reading discussions is not possible; it requires going to a separate page to enter points/grades. The list of inconveniences could go on and on.

Pros

I appreciate the user-friendly nature of Brightspace. Unlike the hot mess we used in previous online courses, Brightspace is intuitive and makes it easy to find what you're looking for. However, the usability ultimately depends on how the professor or teacher sets up the course. Currently, everything is organized by weeks, with each "module" containing the tasks due for that week. From a student standpoint, it's very straightforward to use.

Cons

I've noticed that there are no notifications when posting or replying to a discussion board. Specifically, there are no "push" notifications, making it sometimes difficult to see if people have responded to my post. Once I log in on a desktop or laptop, I can easily see if there are any new responses. However, when using the app on my phone, it doesn't always provide a pop-up notification for new comments or posts. Personally, I would like to receive notifications for these activities.

Pros

Theease of communication within Brightspace is commendable. It allows me to interact with my classmates and instructors through discussion boards, private messages, and announcements. This fosters a sense of community and encourages active participation in the course.

Cons

We have encountered quite a few bugs with this product. However, considering that it has been integrated for almost two years, it's expected to have some ongoing issues.

Pros

The discussion forums in Brightspace facilitate meaningful online interactions. Students can engage in discussions by posting their thoughts, responding to their peers, and collaborating on group projects. The threaded discussion format makes it easy to follow conversations and ensures that everyone's contributions are visible. It promotes active learning and encourages students to share their ideas and perspectives.

Cons

Every aspect of day-to-day classroom activities becomes challenging with Brightspace. My students had a negative experience, and I couldn't find a way to make it work. The design is unappealing. Once I received approval from my administration, I immediately switched to Google Classroom.