There is a video about this topic at the end of this article. Click here to go directly to the video.
This article explains how you can use HTML templates in the content of your course.
Tip! Click here for tips & tricks and important notes regarding using HTML templates in Brightspace.
You can add different types of content to your course. For more information on what types of content are available, see the article How do I add new content to my course?
If you create an HTML document, you can use templates to structure your text and images.
Note: Applying the template to an existing page will overwrite the content and you will lose your work. Click Cancel to discard the changes.
Add a template
- Go to the unit/lesson you want to add content to.
- Click on Create New in the top right corner.
- Click on HTML Document.
- Type in your title.
- Set Due Date if applicable.
- Set Availability Dates if applicable.
- Set Release Conditions if applicable.
- If you do not want to use an example template, start typing in the Page Content box.
- Add your own images, formatting, tables, etc.
- If you would like to use a template, click on Select Template in the top right corner and select one. The templates provide an example structure for the content item. You can add text, images, videos etc. Choose a template that best suits your content.
- Set the item to Visible if you want to immediately make it visible to other users in your course, or keep it Hidden until you are ready for others to see it.
Tips & Tricks using HTML Templates
Below you can find a couple of Tips & Tricks regarding the use of HTML Templates within Brightspace.
Designing unit/lesson pages
You can select a HTML Template only when you add HTML files to your content. Be aware that as of right now, it is not yet possible to select the unit templates, only the lesson templates. We urge you not to delete the default unit pages until you are absolutely sure that you do not wish to use them, as recovering these templates is a cumbersome process.
Start your unit and/or lesson page with a HTML template page to provide information in a concise and structured way.
Copy/Paste elements from HTML templates
Below you can find an advised way to copy HTML elements into the final version of your HTML page in Brightspace.
Preparation for copying elements
- Go to your course.
- Click on Content > Create New > HTML document.
- Load your desired HTML template; e.g. THUAS Lesson Template.
- Open a new internet browser tab or window, and again go to your course and open another HTML Document. This second window will function as your notepad where you can load another template etc.
Copying HTML elements
- Load the HTML template with the elements you wish to copy in your second window. If you want to use the whole template, it is better to load that template in your 1st window.
- Copy elements from the 2nd screen into the 1st screen.
- You can change the templates in the 2nd screen and copy different elements from multiple templates.
Copy/Paste text from other sources
We do not advise you to copy formatted text from a .word document or other source files onto Brightspace. It is advised to paste plain text without formatting (ctrl, shift + v / cmd, shit + v).
Faulty HTML code can be a source of many unwanted behavior. Not only can the text look very different in edit mode and live mode, but it can disrupt the look and feel of the THUAS Templates as well.
Below you can find an advised way to convert a word document into a HTML page in Brightspace.
Preparation
- Go to your course.
- Click on Content > Create New > HTML document.
- Load your desired HTML template; e.g. THUAS Lesson Template.
- Open your Word document.
Copying from Word
-
Regular paragraph text:
- Select and copy the paragraph.
- With your cursor go to the desired place within the HTML document.
- Right click your mouse and select paste as plain text (ctrl, shift + v / cmd, shit + v).
-
(un)Ordered list - whole list:
- Select the (un)ordered list in Word.
- Click on the list icon; to lose the bullets/numbers.
- Copy the list.
- With your cursor go to the desired place within the HTML document.
- Right click your mouse and select paste as plain text (ctrl, shift + v / cmd, shit + v).
- Click within Brightspace on the list icon; to make it a list again.
-
(un)Ordered list - per element/bullet
- In case you want to use the Large Number list or the check mark list it is advised to copy the list per bulletin/number.
- Select the (un)ordered list in Word.
- Click on the list icon; to lose the bullets/numbers.
- Copy the top bulletin and paste it as plain text behind the large 01 or the check mark.
- Repeat for all elements, until completed.
You can use the tips above for other sources; like web pages. Just keep in mind to paste text as plain text!
Video
Click here for a video or watch that same video below (THUAS login required).