Navigating your D2L Brightspace class from a student's perspective

Role Switch

An instructor can preview the course materials to determine how it will display to students in the course.  For the majority of tools in your course, we recommend using the Role Switch feature in the Minibar.

The Role Switch feature enables instructors to switch temporarily from your active role to another role in your course.  You can use the Role Switch feature from the personal menu in the minibar or from the Role Switch widget on the course home page (if available).

To switch to the student role, follow these steps:

1. In the minibar, click the personal drop-down menu (i.e. where your name displays).
2. Click on the View as Student link. Note that the page redirects automatically to the course homepage.
   
3. You can navigate the course tools and materials to view how it will display to that role, based on the student’s permissions. For example, you can preview how a student accesses content topics, discussion layout, assignments, and other course materials. Note: Switching to a role only applies to the current course. If you navigate to the My Home page, to a different course or login/log out of D2L, your instructor role is restored.
4. To stop using the role switch feature, click the personal drop-down menu (i.e. where your name displays), and click the Stop viewing as [user] 'x' icon.
   

Preview a Quiz

Viewing the course as a student with the Role Switch has limitations. For quizzes, the Start Quiz button does not display when in the Role Switch as a student.  For quizzes, we recommend using the Preview option to view the item from a student's role. With the Preview option, the Start Quiz button displays.

The Preview option allows you to view the accuracy of content and grading before you release a quiz.  In the preview mode, you can answer the questions, submit the attempt, and review report results.

1. Navigate to the Quizzes tool.
2. Select Preview from the quiz’s menu.
3. You are taken to the Summary page as a student. To start the quiz, click the Start Quiz button.
4. Preview your quiz. You can response to questions and navigate quiz pages (if applicable).
5. To submit the quiz, click the Go to Submit Quiz button to go to the confirmation page.
6. On the confirmation page, submit your previewed quiz attempt by selecting the Allow this preview attempt to be graded in the Grade Quiz area checkbox.
7. Click the Submit Quiz button to quiz the previewed attempt.
   
8. After submitting the quiz, you can preview auto-graded answers (except written response questions) and verify submission views.
9. Click Exit Preview to exit the quiz preview and return to the Manage Quizzes page.
   

Preview a student's grades

1. Navigate to the Grades tool.
2. On the Enter Grades page, select Preview from the student's name.
   
3. In the pop-up window, you can review the grades that the student has access to, depending on the grade book settings.

Preview Assignments

To view an assignment submission folder from a student's perspective, the preview option allows you to view the accuracy of content. In the preview mode, you can access submission folders, add files, enter comments, submit files, view restrictions, etc.

1. Navigate to the Assignments tool.
2. From the More Actions button, select Preview.
3. You are taken to the Preview page as a student. 
4. To preview an assignment, click on the name of it. Preview the information, enter comments, add files, and/or submit to the assignment.
5. When ready, click Exit Preview to return to the Assignments page.