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April 2025

Assignments

With this release, the software that powers annotations in the Assignments tool is updated to the latest version, Nutrient 1.0.0 (formerly PSPDFKit).

This version update resolves the following defects:

  • The WCAG/A11y layout issues in the Layout tool have been resolved. Previously, the options were not read by the NVDA screen reader.
  • Cursor behaviour now works as expected. Previously, the cursor would return to the start when typing notes in Assignment Annotations.
  • All formatted annotation text in text boxes now saves correctly. Previously, italicized and bold text elements would not save.
  • The annotations software no longer crashes on iPad OS versions 16 and below.

Additionally, minor UI updates are introduced in Nutrient 1.0.0. In the previous version of PSPDFKit, the following buttons displayed tooltips when hovering with a cursor:

  • Next Page
  • Previous Page
  • Page Mode buttons
  • Page Transition buttons
  • Page Rotation buttons

The previous version also highlighted the Search button when clicked

Now, in Nutrient 1.0.0, the button tooltips are removed, and the Search button no longer highlights when selected.

Assignments and Discussions

This feature enables instructors to provide bulk feedback to learners directly within the Assignments and Discussions submission pages, enhancing efficiency and user experience.

Key capabilities:

  • Add and save bulk feedback as a draft if none exists.
  • Update existing drafts or published evaluations for multiple learners simultaneously.
  • Apply feedback to selected learners using Add Feedback or to all learners using Add Feedback to All.
  • Display a warning message when saving an empty Feedback dialogue as bulk feedback, as this action overwrites existing drafts or published evaluations.

File Attachments with Bulk Feedback

When using bulk feedback in Assignments or Discussions:

  • Brightspace Editor includes the Insert Stuff functionality but does not support file uploads from My Computer. Instructors can insert links to YouTube videos or other external resources, which are stored in Manage Files.
  • Insert Image supports image file uploads from My Computer and the system stores them in Manage Files.

Grades

This new feature allows learners to quickly access quiz attempt feedback from the Grades page.

Previously, learners could view quiz attempt feedback only in the Quizzes tool, depending on how the instructor configured the review process. This option remains available.

Media Library

This release introduces a redesigned User Interface (UI) for Media Library, aligning it with the look and feel of other Brightspace tools. The updated interface allows administrators and instructors to manage media files more efficiently across multiple courses and content objects. Any change to a media file is automatically reflected in all courses it is added to, ensuring consistency and saving time.

All the functionality of the old Media Library still exists but is now presented in a modern way:

  • The Add Assets button launches a dialogue where users can upload new assets and record audio or video. It replaces the previous Upload and Record buttons.
  • The Recycle Bin icon has been moved to the top-right corner. The updated interface now displays how long files will be stored before permanent deletion.

The Source filter was removed from the Media Library due to lack of relevance.

New Content Experience (Lessons)

With this release, New Content Experience (Lessons) now includes navigation buttons for easier movement between content topics. Instructors and learners can now use these buttons to move sequentially between topics in the course content structure, following the established sort order.

Previously, navigation buttons were only available in Classic Content Experience.