Pilot: September–December 2025
Official Rollout: DECEMBER 19TH
Chatham University is preparing to launch the Brightspace New Content Experience (NCE), a streamlined, mobile-friendly way to create, manage, and deliver course content. Faculty and students can take advantage of workshops and trainings to get ready for the transition.
Table of Contents:
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Training Workshops Schedule
Brightspace Webinar - https://youtu.be/UhzAww4K5g0?si=liZ6oH64-pFKmDUF
Key Dates
- Faculty can opt-in to NCE starting September 2025.
- Pilot runs Fall 2025, full adoption begins Spring 2026.
- Trainings cover building, migrating, designing Start Here modules, and using multimedia.
- Separate student sessions in January 2026 ensure learners are ready for the change.
Questions? Contact IT Support Services (412) 365-1112
Guides
✅ NCE MIGRATION CHECKLIST
Import the Getting Started Unit -- Go to this course - https://mylearning.chatham.edu/d2l/le/discovery/view/course/68232 -- self-enroll as an instructor -- then go to your new semester course and import the content from the Getting Started Unit Course.
1. Getting started
- Log into Brightspace and enter your course.
- Look for the Content in the purple Nav Bar.
- If you see a left-panel tree of units, you’re likely in the New Content Experience (Lessons) mode.
2. Understanding the Table of Contents (TOC)
- On the left you will usually see your course’s units listed.
- You can click a unit to expand it and see the items inside. Some will be collapsed by default.
- When you click an item in the TOC, that content displays in the main area (on the right) for you to view.
- You’ll often see indicators of progress/completion. For example, checkmarks next to items you have completed.
- Tip: If many units are listed and you don’t see all at once, there might be a “Load more” button.
3. Viewing content and progressing
- After selecting an item, you’ll view it fullscreen or in a main viewer pane.
- Use the arrow buttons (top right) to move sequentially through content (next/previous).
4. Features to know
- Search: You can often search within the TOC by title or description to find a specific item.
- View options: For documents like PowerPoints or PDFs, you might have a “View as Text” vs “View as Page” toggle. If the text view looks strange (especially with PPT slides), switching to “View as Page” helps readability.
- Due dates & availability: Some lessons or units may have start/end dates, or be hidden until certain conditions are met (release conditions). Hovering over items can show those details.
- Download/Print: If enabled by the instructor, you may see a “Print” or “Download” button for content so you can study offline.
5. Tips for staying on track
- Start by selecting the “Get Started” tile or first unit to orient yourself. Many courses will have an introductory unit.
- Use the Course Navigator widget on your course homepage to quickly access units and lessons without opening the full Content tool.
- Click any item to jump directly to that content, or use “Return to Last Viewed” to resume where you left off.
- Watch for progress indicators or icons showing completed items and different content types (readings, videos, assignments).
6. Common issues & how to handle
- Document appears jumbled: If a PowerPoint opens as a text view and the layout is awkward, switch to “View as Page”.
- Item missing / not visible: Could be because of a start date, availability end-date, or release condition. Contact your instructor if you believe you should see it.
- Progress not updating: Some items might require manual marking as complete, so check for a “Mark as Complete” button.
- Large unit list slow to load: Using a “Load more” button helps; patience or filtering may help if many units.
Start Here Module Sample
Welcome Message:
If you're feeling overwhelmed navigating your course for the first time, don't worry! We're here to assist you in unpacking everything and feeling confident about finding your way forward.
Minibar (Top Navigation)
Located at the top-right of your page, beside your name, the Minibar includes:
- Messages / Email: Instantly message or email learners in your course.
- Subscription Alerts: See new activity like discussion replies and assignment submissions.
- Updates: Get alerts when content or due dates change.
You can also:
- Adjust profile settings
- Set notifications
- Log out of Brightspace
Course Navbar (Under Minibar, Purple)
Found on the course homepage, this bar gives you quick access to course tools like:
- Content
- Course Activities
- Communication
- Simple Syllabus
- Grades
- Course Tools
- And more...
Widgets on the Homepage
Your homepage uses widgets (a fancy word for boxes with stuff in them). Here's what you’ll likely see:
- 📣 Announcements
Quick and easy place to post updates, reminders, or a good motivational quote (“Keep calm and submit on time.”)
- 🧩 Visual Table of Contents (VTOC)
A tile-based layout where each unit shows an image and flips to reveal a description. Also tracks learner progress.
- 🗂 Content Navigator Widget
Lets learners jump between units or return to where they last left off.
- 📅 Calendar
Lists upcoming assignments, office hours, events, and more.
- ✅ Work to Do
Shows you a list of Assignments, Quizzes, and Discussions that are due in the next 2 weeks
Notifications (Set Up Guide)
To set preferences:
- Click your name in the top-right corner
- Select Notifications
- Choose what you want to be notified about (email, SMS, etc.)
- Save your settings and bask in the timely reminders
Need more help? Please visit the Brightspace for Learners documentation, watch various tutorials on the Brightspace YouTube Channel or contact Brightspace 24/7 support.
Faculty Emails
From: Office of Instructional Technology, Training, and Teaching Development <OI3TD@chatham.edu>
Sent: Tuesday, December 2, 2025 9:00 AM
To: All Faculty Distribution <Allfaculty@Chatham.edu>
Subject: New Content Experience (NCE) Goes Live December 19
Good Morning,
This is a reminder that the New Content Experience (NCE) will go live in Brightspace on December 19. Beginning on that date, all courses will use the new layout for presenting content to students. The NCE provides a modern, streamlined interface that makes it easier to organize materials and improve course navigation.
You can find detailed information, training materials, and resources here:
https://services.chatham.edu/TDClient/78/Portal/KB/ArticleDet?ID=26316
If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact IT Support Services at https://services.chatham.edu
Thanks,
Office of Instructional Technology, Training, and Teaching Development
chathamUNIVERSITY | OI3TD@chatham.edu
From: Office of Instructional Technology, Training, and Teaching Development <OI3TD@chatham.edu>
Sent: Friday, November 14, 2025 10:03 AM
To: All Faculty Distribution <Allfaculty@Chatham.edu>
Subject: Move Your Spring Courses to the New Content Experience
Dear Faculty,
This is a reminder that the Brightspace Classic Content tool will be retired in January 2026. Beginning with the Spring 2026 semester, all courses will automatically use the New Content Experience (NCE).
To ensure your courses are ready, please complete your Spring 2026 course migration this month.
Migration Checklist
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Log into your Spring 2026 courses.
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Toggle NCE on to begin building (Content > dropdown > select New Content Experience).
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Reorganize modules and pages into the streamlined NCE layout.
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Upload and test your files, links, and videos.
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Preview the student view to confirm everything displays correctly.
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Add a Welcome/Start Here module to orient your students.
Important Deadlines
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December 12, 2025 – Last day to request 1:1 migration support in 2025 🙂
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December 19, 2025 – NCE enabled on all courses (Classic Content no longer available)
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January 2026 – All courses default to NCE
Support Available
Now is the time to get your Spring courses ready. Thank you for preparing early and ensuring a smooth transition for your students.
Office of Instructional Technology, Training, and Teaching Development
chathamUNIVERSITY | OI3TD@chatham.edu
From: Office of Instructional Technology, Training, and Teaching Development <OI3TD@chatham.edu>
Sent: Wednesday, October 29, 2025 12:44 PM
To: All Faculty Distribution <Allfaculty@Chatham.edu>
Subject: Try the New Content Experience in Brightspace
Dear Faculty,
We are now in the pilot and exploration phase of the Brightspace New Content Experience (NCE).
If you haven’t tried it yet, this is a great time to turn on NCE in one of your courses and explore the streamlined design before the January 2026 transition.
Get Started Today:
Testing NCE this semester will give you a head start and help ensure your Spring courses are ready.
Thank you for being part of this transition.
Office of Instructional Technology, Training, and Teaching Development
chathamUNIVERSITY | OI3TD@chatham.edu
From: Office of Instructional Technology and Teaching Development <TLC@Chatham.edu>
Sent: Thursday, September 4, 2025 8:35 AM
To: All Faculty Distribution <Allfaculty@Chatham.edu>
Subject: Re: Explore Brightspace’s New Content Experience This Fall
Good Morning...Again 🙂,
This was accidentally omitted from the original email.
Below is the schedule of workshops that will be available throughout the semester to support the transition.
From: Office of Instructional Technology and Teaching Development
Sent: Thursday, September 4, 2025 8:27 AM
To: All Faculty Distribution <Allfaculty@Chatham.edu>
Subject: Explore Brightspace’s New Content Experience This Fall
Dear Faculty,
We are preparing for Chatham’s transition to the Brightspace New Content Experience (NCE) in January 2026. To help you get comfortable, you can now opt-in at the course level this fall and try out NCE in your own classes.
Why try it now?
- Explore the new design at your own pace.
- Build familiarity before the Spring 2026 cutover.
- Share your feedback and help us refine support.
How to enable NCE in your course:
- In the Content tool, select the dropdown arrow on the right-hand side (below the navigation bar)
- Select “Turn it on” to switch to NCE, or “Turn it off” to return to Classic view
Learn How to Easily Enable NCE at the Course Level
Note: Learners will see the content experience you select. They cannot toggle between views themselves.
Helpful Resources to Get You Started
Office of Instructional Technology, Training, and Teaching Development
chathamUNIVERSITY | tlc@chatham.edu
From: Office of Instructional Technology and Teaching Development
Sent: Friday, August 29, 2025 11:13 AM
To: All Faculty Distribution <Allfaculty@Chatham.edu>
Subject: Coming to Your Courses in Spring 2026: Brightspace’s New Content Experience
Good Morning,
We’re excited to introduce the New Content Experience (NCE) to your Brightspace course(s) – a more intuitive and efficient way to create, manage, and deliver your course materials.
This upgrade will make it easier for you to build and organize content while helping your students to stay engaged and on track with their learning.
Highlights include:
Modern and Streamlined Design
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Clean, visual layout with color-coded modules for better organization
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Simplified workflows that reduce time spent on course management
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Intuitive navigation that helps learners find what they need quickly
Seamless Integration with Brightspace Tools
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Direct access to Assignments, Quizzes, Discussions, and LTI links within the Content tool
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Fewer clicks and no more switching between tabs
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Frequent course activities you need in one centralized location
Mobile-Friendly and Accessible
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Purposely designed to support accessibility needs
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Responsive design that works smoothly on mobile, tablet, or desktop
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Consistent experience for all learners, regardless of how they access their courses
The voluntary pilot period for the New Content Experience will begin in September 2025 and run through December 2025, with an official rollout in January 2026. To support this transition, we’ll be offering a series of trainings and workshops throughout the fall semester. Please keep an eye out for a more detailed schedule and additional resources in a follow-up email on September 5, 2025.
Office of Instructional Technology, Training, and Teaching Development
chathamUNIVERSITY | tlc@chatham.edu
Student Emails
From: Office of Instructional Technology, Training, and Teaching Development <OI3TD@chatham.edu>
Sent: Tuesday, December 2, 2025 9:00 AM
To: All Students <Students@chatham.edu>
Subject: Get Ready for the New Content Experience (NCE) in Brightspace
Dear Students,
The New Content Experience (NCE) is coming to Brightspace soon, and we want to help you feel prepared for the change. The NCE offers a cleaner, more modern layout that makes it easier to find what you need, stay organized, and keep track of your course progress.
Here are a few ways the NCE will make your coursework easier:
- Streamlined navigation so you can quickly locate readings, assignments, and modules
- A clearer visual layout that reduces clutter and helps you focus on what matters
- Progress indicators that let you see what you’ve completed and what’s still ahead
- Faster access to content on both desktop and mobile
If you’d like to preview the new experience, you can explore a sample course here:
Preview the NCE
If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact IT Support Services at https://services.chatham.edu
Thanks,
Office of Instructional Technology, Training, and Teaching Development
chathamUNIVERSITY | OI3TD@chatham.edu
From: Office of Instructional Technology, Training, and Teaching Development <OI3TD@chatham.edu>
Sent: Wednesday, October 29, 2025 12:36 PM
To: All Students <Students@chatham.edu>
Subject: Preview the New Content Experience Coming This Spring
Dear Students,
This is a reminder that the New Content Experience (NCE) will be available in all courses beginning in the spring semester. The NCE offers a cleaner, more intuitive way to view and navigate your course materials.
If you’d like to see what the new experience looks like, you can preview it here:
If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact IT Support Services at 412-365-1112.
Office of Instructional Technology, Training, and Teaching Development
chathamUNIVERSITY | OI3TD@chatham.edu
From: Office of Instructional Technology and Teaching Development
Sent: Thursday, September 4, 2025 8:29 AM
To: All Students <Students@chatham.edu>
Subject: Coming Soon: A New Look for Your Courses in Brightspace
Good Morning,
This fall, some of your courses may look a little different! Instructors can now opt-in to the New Content Experience (NCE) — a cleaner, mobile-friendly way to organize and view course materials.
What to Expect in Fall 2025
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Some courses will still use the Classic Content view.
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Others may use the New Content Experience.
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Both views provide access to the same materials — the difference is in the layout.
What’s Next
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In January 2026, all courses will move to the New Content Experience.
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Students will not be able to toggle between views — your instructor selects the course layout.
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Workshops to help you navigate the NCE in Spring 2026
Learn More
We’re excited to roll out this updated design and will provide resources to help you make the transition smoothly in January.
Office of Instructional Technology, Training, and Teaching Development
chathamUNIVERSITY | tlc@chatham.ed