Meet the Editor: Get to know CELO+ Editor

You have actually met this editor yesterday, when you followed the tutorial on "New announcement". This is the Brightspace Editor. Think of it as an on-board Microsoft Word within CELO+ account. 

The Brightspace HTML editor can be used to add several types of content to your course, like:

  • text and images;
  • video and audio files;
  • quicklinks and URLs

The Brightspace HTML editor looks like a text field with a bar that contains different formatting options. You can find the editor in several Activities like Assignments, Quizzes, Discussions, and Surveys. The HTML editor can be used to write instructions and/or add descriptions to an Activity. It can also be used to add a text or file to a (sub)module in Content.

  1. Give the content a title. 
  2. Click Hide from Users to make the file invisible to students.
  3. The bar on top enables you to create headings, use formatting options, change the font, change the size of the font, change the color of the text, and add formulas:
    • The three options on the left-hand side allow you to add audio and video files, images, and quicklinks.
    • Click on the button with the three dots to reveal additional options: this enables you to undo previous actions and cut and/or copy content.
  4. In the bar on the bottom you can (from left to right):
    • check spelling (in multiple languages);
    • check accessibility (for visually impaired users) ;
    • open the source code;
    • open a preview of how the content will be displayed in your course;
    • display the editor in full screen;
    • change the size of the editor.
  5. Click on Change Path to select where in Manage Files you want to save the content (You dont have to change this).
  6. Click on Save and Close to publish your content or select Save to save the file as a concept so you can edit it at a later moment.


ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:


How do I add text to the Editor?

You can add text to the HTML Editor by writing directly in the editor or by copying and pasting it from another document. The Editor also offers a wide arrange of formatting options. A lot of these options are quite similar to the options offered by other word processors like Word.

  1. From left to right you can:
    • choose the style of the text (whether it is a heading or a paragraph);
    • make the text bold, italic or underlined. Click on the arrow to use other options like subscripts, superscripts and strike-through;
    • add indentations and bullet points. Click on the arrow for more options like ordered lists and text alignments;
    • change the font and size of the text (it is advised to keep the font Arial as a default setting);
    • change the color of the text;
    • add tables. Click on the arrow to edit the table.
  2. Click on the arrow next to the media icons for more options:
    • Insert Symbol: add a symbol
    • Insert Line: add a horizontal line to separate text.
    • Insert Attributes: add attributes to selected text without opening the source code.
    • Insert Emoticon: add an emoticon.

Click on Save and Close to publish the content or on Save to save the file as a draft so you are able to edit it at a later moment. If you are editing a previously made file you can click on Update or Revert to Draft.



How do I add media to the Editor?

The media icons
Insert Stuff
Recording a video message
Insert Image
Settings

The media icons

You can add several (external) media files, like images and video and audio files, to the HTML Editor. Links to other pages in Brightspace can also be added.


There are three buttons on the left hand side of the top bar. These buttons can be used to add different types of media to the Editor.

  • Insert Stuff: add an image, video file, audio file or link to an external source (like Google Drive, Slideshare and so forth).  You can also use this button to add media from Youtube, add links, or record a video with your webcam which you can add to the Editor.
  • Insert Image: add an image from your computer, somewhere else in Brightspace, or from the internet.
  • Insert Quicklink: add a link to a part of the course in Brightspace or an external source.

Insert Stuff

Insert Stuff can be used to add video and audio files from your computer, somewhere else in Brightspace, from Kaltura, or from an external source. It also allows you to easily record and add a video message.

  • Click Insert Stuff.

You can now choose from which place you want to add video or audio files:

  • Click My Computer to search for a file on your computer and add it.
    • Click Choose file to search for the file in the file structure of your computer.
    • Click Upload.
    • Change the settings if needed and click on Insert.
  • Click Course Offering Files to search for a file that you have used somewhere else in your Brightspace course and add it to the Editor.
    • Search for the specific component in the file structure of your Brightspace course and select it.
    • Click Next.
    • Change the settings if needed and click on Insert.
  • Click Video Note to record and add a video message.
  • Click Video Note Search to find a previously recorded video message and add it.
    • Fill in one or several keywords in Search Notes and click Search.
    • Select the video you want to add.
    • Click Next and after that Insert.
  • Click Insert Link to add a link to an external video (for example, something from YouTube).
    • Paste the URL in the text box and click Next.
    • Change the settings if needed and click Insert.
  • Click Enter Embed Code to embed an external video in your message (You can, for example, use an embed code instead of an direct link to a YouTube video. The message will now include a video that you can watch from Brightspace instead of a link to YouTube. You can also use the embed code to link to Slideshare). Note that embedded external videos will not be saved to Brightspace as it remains an external source.
    • Paste the embed code in the text box and click Next for a preview.
    • Click Insert.


Recording a video message

  • Click Insert Stuff.
  • Click Video Note.
  1. Click New Recording. You will see the footage you are recording on the small screen. Stop the recording by clicking End Recording.
  2. You can also add a file from your computer instead of recording a new video by clicking Upload File.
  3. Click Next.
  1. Add a title.
  2. Add a description.
  3. Click Next.
  1. You will see a preview of your video. Click Refresh Preview if you see the message above to load and watch the preview.
  2. Click Insert.

Add an existing video message

  • Click Insert Stuff.
  • Click Video Note Search.
  1. Use the search bar to enter the title of your video message.
  2. Click Search. By clicking Search without adding a search term you will get an overview of all saved video recordings.
  3. Select the video message.
  4. Click Next.
  • Click Insert to add the existing video message.

Insert Image

You can add images via both Insert Stuff and Insert Image. The latter will only include options that are relevant for uploading images and is therefore easier to use.

Zoom:
  • Click on Insert Image.
  • Click on My Computer to search for a file on your computer and add it.
    • Click on Upload to search for the file in the file structure of your computer.
    • Click on Add.
    • Add an alternative text if needed and click on OK.
  • Click on Course Offering Files to search for a file that you have used somewhere else in your Brightspace course (or one that you have not used yet, but is located in Manage Files) and add it to the Editor.
    • Search for the specific component in the file structure of your Brightspace course and select it.
    • Click on Add.
    • Add an alternative text if needed and click on OK.
  • Click on URL to add a link to an external image.
    • Paste the URL in the text box and click on Add.
    • Add an alternative text if needed and click on OK.

      Settings

      When you are adding a file you will sometimes get the option to change some settings. These settings include the inclusion of a link text, and alternative text, and the ability to change the aspect ratio of a video or image. These settings will show up when you are adding a file from your computer (My Computer), from Brightspace (Course Offering Files) or when adding a link (Insert Link).

      • Link Text: this is the text that is in your message and will link to the video or image.
      • Alternative Text: this is the text that will appear if the image cannot be displayed due to, for instance, a slow internet connection. This is also important for partially sighted users. You can add a short description of the image here. You can check the box This image is decorative if the image does not include any (relevant) information. Note that when adding an image, the only option is adding an alternative text. When you add an image using Insert Link (meaning the URL of the image) you can add both an alternative text and a link text.
      • Lock aspect ratio: this will keep the standard settings regarding the size of the video or image.
      • Width: adjust the width of a video or image.
      • Height: adjust the height of a video or image.
      • Auto Start: choose this option if you want a video to start playing automatically. Note that you will only be able to use this option if you upload a video from your computer.

      Click on Refresh Preview if you want to preview any changes.



How do I add quicklinks to the Editor?

Quicklinks
Example

You can use the Editor to link to other parts of your Brightspace course like Announcements, Assignments, and course files.

  • Click on Insert Quicklink.
  • Click on the component you want to link to and then select the desired item. The component will then appear as a link in the editor.

Example

The HTML Editor can be used to link to a course component or a file that is used elsewhere in the course. You can, for example, place a quicklink in a module to link to an assignment that is relevant in that specific week.

Zoom:
  1. Go to Content in the navbar of your course.
  2. Go to the specific (sub)module.
  3. Click on Upload/Create.
  4. Click on Create a File.
Zoom:
  1. Give the file a title.
  2. Click on Insert Quicklink.
  • Click on Assignments.
  • Click on the assignment to add it to the editor.
  • Click on the pencil icon next to the assignment to change the settings before adding the assignment.
  1. If you wish, you can change the title for the link below Title. This will not change the name of the item, but rather the text linking to the item.
  2. Indicate whether the assignment is opened in the entire current window (Whole Window) , in the same part of the screen as the message displayed (Same Frame), or in a new window (New Window).
  3. Click on Insert.
Zoom:
  1. The blue text in the editor is the newly created link. You can also add a description for your students.
  2. Click on Save and Close to make the file and the link available in your course. Click on Save if you want to make adjustments at a later moment or if you do not want to make the link available to students.


QUESTIONS?
    
    If you have any questions, clarifications, comments, or suggestions, please don't hesitate to contact me 
(I have given you my contact info via email). 

    Thank you for participating and have a pleasant day ahead. :)

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