Enhance Learning with Chat in Brightspace

Enhance Learning with Chat in Brightspace

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Setting up Chat in Brightspace
3. Adding Chat to the Nav Bar
4. Creating a Chat Experience
5. General Chat vs Personal Chat
6. Enrolling Participants in the Chat
7. Using Chat as a Teacher
8. Using Chat as a Student
9. Managing Chat Sessions and Transcripts
10. Customizing Chat Settings

Introduction

Chat is a powerful tool in Brightspace that allows teachers to facilitate group discussions, provide office hours, and engage with students in a real-time conversation. This feature provides a more interactive and immediate way of communication compared to discussions or email. In this article, we will explore the step-by-step process of setting up and using chat in Brightspace, including adding chat to the nav bar, creating chat experiences, enrolling participants, managing chat sessions, and customizing chat settings.

Setting up Chat in Brightspace

Before we dive into the details of using chat, it is important to ensure that chat is added to the nav bar for easy access. To do this, click on "Actions" in the upper right-HAND corner, select "Edit this Nav Bar," and then choose the option to add links. Locate chat from the list of available links, select it, and click on "Add." You can also rearrange the order of links in the nav bar to optimize its functionality for your course. Once you have made the necessary changes, click "Save and Close."

Adding Chat to the Nav Bar

To start using chat, it needs to be added to the nav bar. If it is not already visible, you can add it by following these steps:

1. Click on "Actions" in the upper right-hand corner.
2. Select "Edit this Nav Bar."
3. Choose the option to add links.
4. Locate "Chat" from the list of available links and select it.
5. Click on "Add" at the bottom.
6. After adding chat, you can rearrange the order of links in the nav bar to suit your course's needs.
7. Once you are satisfied with the changes, click "Save and Close" to finalize the settings.

Creating a Chat Experience

Once chat is added to the nav bar, you can start creating chat experiences for your students. As a teacher, you have the option to Create both general and personal chats. A general chat allows all the students in the course to automatically join and participate, while a personal chat gives you more control over who can participate and allows you to invite specific students or individuals from Brightspace who are not on the course roster.

To create a chat:

1. Click on "Chat" in the nav bar.
2. Click on "New Chat" in the upper left corner.
3. Enter a title for the chat and provide a description to explain its purpose to your students.
4. Choose between general and personal chat, keeping in mind that personal chat offers more control and flexibility.
5. Once you have made your selection, click on "Create" to create the chat.

Please note that the Type of chat, whether general or personal, cannot be changed once the chat is created. Therefore, make sure to choose the appropriate type before proceeding.

General Chat vs Personal Chat

In Brightspace, you have the option to create both general and personal chats. Understanding the difference between these two types of chats is crucial for effective communication and collaboration within your course.

General Chat: A general chat automatically enrolls all the students on the roster for the course. They can join and participate in the chat without needing an invitation. This type of chat is recommended for most situations and allows for broad discussion and collaboration.

Personal Chat: A personal chat, on the other hand, allows you to choose specific students from the course roster to invite. It also gives you the ability to invite individuals who are not on the roster but are part of Brightspace. This offers more control and privacy, making it suitable for smaller group discussions or one-on-one engagement.

When creating a chat, you will have the option to select either general or personal chat Based on your specific needs and preferences.

Enrolling Participants in the Chat

To start using chat, you need to enroll participants in the chat. As a teacher, you can choose to add students from the course roster or invite personal contacts from Brightspace who are not on the roster.

To add participants:

1. Open the chat you created.
2. Click on the drop-down menu next to the chat's name.
3. Select "View Members" from the options.
4. To add students from the course roster, click on "Add Members," and search for and add the desired students.
5. Alternatively, you can add personal contacts by clicking on "Add Personal Contact" and searching for individuals outside the course roster.
6. Once you have added the participants, click "Done" to finalize the enrollment.

If you want to add the entire class to the chat, there is an option to select all the students by clicking the checkbox next to "Last Name" and "First Name." However, if you only want to include a specific group of students, you can choose individual students by checking their boxes.

Using Chat as a Teacher

As a teacher, chat allows you to create a collaborative environment where you can engage with your students in real-time. Whether it's conducting office hours, facilitating group discussions, or providing immediate feedback, chat supports seamless communication.

To use chat as a teacher:

1. Open the chat you created.
2. Click on the link to enter the chat.
3. Type your message in the chat box and click "Send."
4. As students join the chat, they will appear in the participants list on the left-hand side.
5. Students can also contribute to the chat by typing their messages, which will be attributed to them.
6. There is no anonymous posting in Brightspace, so all participants will be identified.
7. If students have their questions answered or want to leave the chat, they can click "Exit Chat."
8. To exit the chat as a teacher, click on "Exit Chat" to conclude the session.

Please note that as a best practice, it is recommended to remove students from the chat after a session has ended. By removing the students, you ensure that they cannot access the chat without your presence. To remove students, go to the "View Members" option in the drop-down menu next to the chat, select the students you want to remove, and click "Delete."

Using Chat as a Student

Chat provides students with an interactive platform to engage with their peers and teachers. They can participate in real-time discussions, Seek clarification, and collaborate on projects.

To use chat as a student:

1. Go to the course dashboard in Brightspace.
2. Click on "Chat" to access the chat section for the course.
3. You will see the chat(s) created by your teacher. Click on the desired chat to enter.
4. In the chat, you can view the messages posted by other participants, including the teacher.
5. Use the chat box at the bottom to type your messages and contribute to the discussion.
6. If you have completed your conversation or need to leave, click "Exit Chat."

It's important to note that students cannot initiate a chat; they can only join chats that have been created by their teacher. This helps maintain control and focus within the chat environment.

Managing Chat Sessions and Transcripts

Chat sessions and transcripts allow you to review previous chats and ensure a Record of all the discussions that have taken place.

To view chat sessions and transcripts:

1. Open the chat you want to review.
2. Click on the drop-down menu next to the chat's name.
3. Select "View Sessions."
4. Here, you can see a list of all the sessions for that particular chat.
5. Click on a session to view the transcript of the discussion that took place.
6. The transcript attributes each message to the user who posted it.
7. You also have the option to print the transcript if needed.

Reviewing the chat sessions and transcripts can be useful for referencing past discussions, identifying points of clarification, or keeping a record for reference purposes.

Customizing Chat Settings

Chat settings allow you to personalize your chat experience and customize how the chat operates.

To customize chat settings:

1. Click on the settings icon in the upper right-hand corner of the chat page.
2. In the settings menu, you can choose how you want your name to display in chat sessions, such as using your preferred alias.
3. You can also select the order in which chat messages are displayed, either newest to oldest or oldest to newest.
4. Another important option is message alerts, which allow you to be notified whenever a new message is posted, when someone enters or leaves the chat. This is particularly useful when multitasking during office hours or other chat sessions.
5. Once you have configured your settings, click "Save" to Apply the changes.

These customization options allow you to tailor the chat experience to your preferences, ensuring a smooth and personalized communication experience.

Conclusion

Chat is an invaluable tool in Brightspace that enables teachers and students to engage in real-time discussions, facilitate collaborative learning, and provide immediate support. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can set up chat, create chat experiences, enroll participants, and manage chat sessions effectively. Remember to customize your chat settings according to your preferences, making the chat experience more personalized and efficient.

With chat in Brightspace, you can enhance communication, foster collaboration, and create an interactive and engaging learning environment for your students. Embrace the power of chat and watch the conversations come to life!

Highlights

• Chat is a powerful tool in Brightspace for facilitating group discussions and providing immediate support.
• Adding chat to the Nav Bar allows for easy access and enhances the communication experience.
• Creating both general and personal chats provides flexibility in terms of participant selection and control.
• Enrolling participants in the chat ensures that only the desired individuals can join the conversation.
• Using chat as a teacher allows for real-time engagement with students through office hours, group discussions, and immediate feedback.
• Students can actively participate in chat discussions, seek clarification, and collaborate with their peers.
• Managing chat sessions and transcripts provides a valuable record of past discussions for reference and review.
• Customizing chat settings allows for a personalized chat experience tailored to individual preferences.
• Chat in Brightspace enhances communication, collaboration, and engagement in the learning process.

FAQ

Q: Can students initiate a chat in Brightspace? A: No, students can only join chats that have been created by their teacher. This provides the teacher with control over the chat environment.

Q: Can I remove participants from a chat after a session has ended? A: Yes, it is recommended to remove participants after a session has ended to prevent them from accessing the chat without the teacher's presence.

Q: Can I reuse a chat for future sessions? A: Yes, you can reuse a chat by adding participants again. Simply go to the "View Members" option and add the desired participants from the roster or personal contacts.

Q: Can I print chat transcripts for record-keeping purposes? A: Yes, you can print chat transcripts by selecting the option in the upper right corner of the transcript window.

Q: Can I customize how chat messages are displayed? A: Yes, you can choose the order in which chat messages are displayed, either newest to oldest or oldest to newest, according to your preference.