Brightspace FAQ for students

You can login to Brightspace at https://learn.georgebrown.ca/. Your username for Brightspace is your studentID@georgebrown.ca and your password is the password you use to access other GBC accounts.

To find out what your student ID number is, you have a few options:

• Check mail that was sent to you from George Brown College
• Check your student ID card
• Call the Contact Centre at 416-415-2000 or toll-free at 1-800-265-2002

If you need to reset your password, refer to these password management instructions.

You won’t be able to login to Brightspace until you have registered for at least one course.

First, check that your username (studentID@georgebrownca.ca) and password (the password you use for main GBC accounts) are correct. You may want to try resetting your GBC password.

Second, check STU-VIEW to verify your course registration.

If you still cannot login after these checks, please call 416-415-5000, ext. 4357 and include your full name, student ID and the course CRN.

There are two reasons why you may be missing a course in Brightspace:

1. Your course hasn’t started yet. Check again within a few days of the course start date.
2. Your courses may not have synchronized with STU-VIEW. If this is the case, please use the Brightspace chatbot, the Ask George chatbot in the MyGBC Student Portal, email helpdesk@georgebrown.ca, or call 416-415-5000 ext. 4357 and include your full name, student ID and the course CRN.

If you need to access the course after it’s closed, please email your instructor. Their email address should be on your course outline.

You can edit your user profile by selecting your username and then “Profile.”

You can update the following elements in your profile:

• Profile picture (The minimum file is 100x100 pixels, and maximum 1MB.)
• A tagline (Something that describes you and leaves a positive first impression!)
• Your interests and hobbies (This helps your peers and instructor learn more about you.)

It is crucial that your account is set to your local time zone so you do not miss any deadlines or time-sensitive assessments. To check your time zone, select your username and then “Account Settings.”

Make sure you also check your time zone settings in MS Teams and Zoom if you have any online courses using those programs, as well as your computer’s settings, so you don’t miss any classes.

To ensure optimal performance, accessibility, and security, D2L advises all users to access Brightspace using the most recent version of a compatible browser such as Google Chrome, Firefox, Microsoft Edge, or Safari. To check if your Browser is compatible, visit https://community.desire2learn.com/d2l/systemCheck.

Tips for using your browser settings to optimize performance:

• Regularly update your browser manually or set up automatic updates.
• Regularly clear the browser’s cookies (saved data from websites) and cache (temporary saved files).
• Manage any plugins and extensions.
• Close unnecessary tabs. Consider bookmarking the webpages instead.
• Enable hardware acceleration.
• Keep your operating system updated.
• Check for malware/adware.

Yes, but not fully. We highly recommend you use a computer browser for the best experience. You can access a simplified view of Brightspace on your phone via the Brightspace Pulse App, which is available to download in the Apple App store or Google Play.  The app shows you your calendar, course content and grades, and notifications, but you cannot take quizzes, submit assignments, or send any messages.

A positive to using the app is allowing push notifications, so you don’t miss any course communications.

To join a class held on Zoom, visit your course’s page, then select “Zoom” in the top menu, select your class, and then select “Join.”

Here are links to download  the app for desktop, Apple App Store (iPhone and iPad), or Google Play Store (Android devices).

To login to your GBC Zoom account, visit https://georgebrown-ca.zoom.us/ Then select either “Sign on” or “Single Sign On (SSO).” Enter your studentID@georgebrown.ca and GBC account password if prompted.

Respondus LockDown Browser is used to secure D2L Brightspace testing environments. The browser will prevent you from taking specific actions that could compromise your exam. Here are some of the features:

• Full-screen mode: The browser restricts resizing or lowering the window.
• Disables navigation.
• Blocks printing and screen capturing.
• Restricts the use of other programs, files, and resources such as email and messaging.
• No task switching is allowed.

If your instructor requires the use of the Respondus LockDown Browser, and you haven’t installed it yet, we strongly recommend that you install it a few days ahead of your exam, so you have time to address any potential technical issues.

Here’s what you need to know about using the browser.

Note for Chrome users: For Respondus Lockdown Browser to work via Chrome, you will need to make sure your browser is on the most up-to-date version. To check, select the icon of three vertical dots , then select ‘Help,’ then ‘About Chrome.’

How to download and install Respondus LockDown Browser

• MAC and Windows: You can download and install the Respondus from this secure link.
• iPad: Download the app from the Apple App Store.

How to start a quiz with the Respondus LockDown Browser

1. Within your course’s page in Brightspace, in the top menu, select ‘Assessments’ and then ‘Quizzes.’ Select the quiz in the Quiz List.
2. Your quiz will then show under ‘Quiz Requirements’ if you need to use the Respondus LockDown Browser. There will be a link to download the program and a link to launch it.
3. When you select ‘Launch LockDown Browser,’ you will receive a security prompt. You can check the box that says “Always Allow learn.georgebrown.ca to open links of this type in the associated app” and then select 'Open Lockdown Browser.'  This will activate the browser to start the quiz.

No, Brightspace settings do not allow you to have notifications sent to your personal email account instead of your GBC account.

It is important to opt in to notifications and keep them on so you don’t miss any important communication or assignments for your courses.

To update your notification settings, select your username and then “Notifications.”

Email notifications will be sent to your GBC email account.  

There are many options for customizing your instant notifications. Review this video on PulseApp notifications.

If email is not a good way to notify you, we highly recommend downloading the Pulse app on your mobile phone, so you will receive alerts through there. You can download Pulse via the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.

The best way to contact your instructor is via your GBC email account. You can find their email address on your course outline or through your course’s Brightspace page by selecting “Communication” and then “Classlist.”​​​​​​

First, please check your course schedule in STU-VIEW. Your courses should be synced in Brightspace.

If a course that you are not registered for appears in your Brightspace, you will receive announcements and emails from that course. To have it removed, please use the Ask George chatbot in the MyGBC Student Portal, email helpdesk@georgebrown.ca or call 416-415-5000 ext. 4357 and include your full name, student ID and the course CRN.

Please note that full-time students are automatically enrolled in the course Doing the Work: An Introduction to Anti-Racism. Although it is not a graded or required course, students are strongly encouraged to complete it.

There are two places where you can view your full course list. On the homepage, in the “My Courses” tab, click on “View All Courses.” You can also select the icon that looks like nine squares in the top menu for a drop-down list.

Pinning a course allows you some organization customization for which courses you’ll see first in your homepage and course list. There are a few ways you can pin a course:

1. From the homepage, in the “My Courses” tab, hover over the course and select the three dots button, and then select “Pin.”
2. Select the icon that looks like nine squares in the top menu. A list will appear, and a pin symbol will be next to your course’s name.

There are several reasons why content in courses may not appear:

• The content is hidden.
• The content is date-restricted.
• The instructor has established release conditions that may limit the appearance.
• You may also encounter two types of error messages when trying to select content that may not be accessible to you: “Not Authorized” and “Internal Error.”

Please contact your instructor if you are having any of these issues.

There is a common issue with viewing PowerPoints in Brightspace in which text and images appear overlayed. To view it properly, navigate to the bottom left-hand corner of the PowerPoint viewer and select “View as Page.”

It’s important to ensure that your computer is in the best shape it can be before starting a quiz or assessment. Use this checklist to prepare:

• If your instructor requires the use of Respondus Lockdown Browser and you have yet to install it, please do so a few days ahead of the quiz so you have time in case any technical issues arise. See our Tech Settings section above for more information.
• Close all tabs in your browser window except the course tab.
• Clear your browser’s history and cache.
• Close any unnecessary plugins and add-ons to your browser, especially any ad blockers, which may sometimes disable important pop-ups or messages.
• Close any other programs running on your computer.
• Restart your computer.

Please contact your instructor if you face any issues with quizzes.

You can find quizzes in three different locations:

1. Within the course’s page, select “Assessments” from the menu and then “Quizzes.”
2. Your instructor may list it as part of the course content; select “Content” from the menu.
3. It may be linked to an announcement from your instructor. Within the course’s page, select “Communication” and then “Announcements.”

If the quiz isn’t visible yet, it may be set for a later date, hidden, or closed. Review this video on how quizzes work in Brightspace. Please contact your instructor if you are having issues with quizzes.

Before you attempt a test, review this video on the Brightspace test environment.There are a couple reasons why you may not be able to start your quiz:

1. You’ve already started the quiz. After starting a quiz and not submitting it before exiting the page, the timer may run out, preventing you from continuing.
2. There is a grayed out or unclickable Start Quiz button, which may indicate your instructor has limited quiz attempts. You can find the number of attempts on the Quiz Summary and Quiz List pages. If you’ve completed the quiz and try to do it again, the Start Quiz button will not appear.

Please contact your instructor if you continue to experience issues with your quizzes.

First, remain calm! Here are some options:

• If your computer freezes during a quiz, restart it and try to access the test again. If the test only allows one attempt and you cannot restart it, please contact your instructor as soon as possible.
• If the quiz allows multiple attempts, you can submit the initial attempt and start the next attempt. You can continue with the quiz as long as the timer continues and the duration does not lapse.
• If you accidentally close your computer during a quiz, you can continue it as long as the timer continues and the duration does not lapse.

Please contact your instructor if you continue to experience issues with your quizzes.

To see your assignments, go to your course’s page and select “Assessments” from the top menu and then “Assignments.” Your instructor may release assignments on specific dates.

Please contact your instructor if you are unable to locate it on the scheduled release date or if it has expired.

Within a course’s page, select “Assessments” from the top menu and then “Assignments.” Select the right assignment to submit.

Your instructor may also require you to submit assignments through Turnitin.

As part of your coursework, your instructor may enroll you in a group or group category for your coursework. The instructor may also allow you to self-enroll in a group. To enroll in a group, within a course’s page, select “Course Tools” from the top menu and then “Groups.” Then you can select “View Available Groups” and then “Join.” You can see more details on this video about groups.

Only one person should submit an assignment on behalf of a group. To do so, within a course’s page, select “Assessments” from the top menu and then “Assignments.” Select the right assignment to submit.

To view grades, go to your course’s page and select “Grades” from the top menu.

Your grades may not appear until your instructor adds them.

Please check and save any grades before the course page closes after the final day of classes.

Please contact your instructor if you have any other questions relating to your grades. Review this video on viewing grades and feedback before contacting your instructor.

Total marks is your total raw score from assignments, quizzes, examinations and other graded activities. Your weighted total considers each graded item’s instructor-set percentage of your final grade. The weighted total shows your course performance based on the weightings.

Please contact your instructor if you have any other questions relating to your grades.

In some assessments, the lowest score(s) in a grade category is dropped. This will affect your weighted total but not total marks.

Please contact your instructor if you have any other questions relating to your grades.