What's New in D2L Brightspace: November 2025 for Instructors

November 2025 D2L Brightspace Release

Effective November 20, 2025, new and updated features within D2L Brightspace are available to Instructors as part of the monthly update. 

Release highlights include updates to Announcements, Content, D2L Brightspace (overall), Grades, and Learning Outcomes. Review the additional resources to learn more. 

 

Announcements

Email a copy of an announcement to your Classlist

In the Announcements tool when instructors create or edit an announcement, they can now choose to send a copy to everyone in their Classlist as an email, sent from the instructor themselves. When creating or editing an announcement, a new Send Email Copy check box is now available. When an instructors selects, the new check box, the system emails the content of the announcement to all users in the Classlist on publishing. Email will originate from the email address of the person who selects the Send Email Copy option and publishes the announcement. That person's name is included in the email subject line and message. 

Notes:

  • For announcements scheduled to publish later, clicking the Send Email Copy check box emails users in the Classlist at the time that the announcement is published. 
  • For announcements with release conditions, the announcement is only emailed to users who meet the release conditions and the instructors (and TAs) in the Classlist. 
  • The Send Email Copy option is automatically deselected when an announcement is copied or edited, and the option can be selected again before publishing/updating the announcement. 
  • Please be aware that if students are already receiving an automated notification email about announcements (notification subscriptions or intelligent agents), this email option may result in similar email communications. 

​​The new Send Email Copy check box ​when creating or editing an announcement. ​

Figure: The new Send Email Copy check box ​when creating or editing an announcement. ​

Sample of an emailed announcement​

Figure: Sample of an emailed announcement​

 

Content

Updated default font size for newly created HTML topics

In the Content tool, the default font size is now size 24 for new HTML topics created in Content. Previously the default font size was set to 19. 

Note that this change does not affect existing content or any course with a default font size set in Content > Settings. Additionally, when creating a topic HTML page, the font size can still be adjusted using the HTML toolbar menu. 

The default font size is now size 24​ for new HTML topics created in Content.​

Figure: The default font size is now size 24​ for new HTML topics created in Content.​

Set your course default font size for new HTML topics ​from Content > Settings > Default Font Settings menu.​

Figure: Set your course default font size for new HTML topics ​from Content > Settings > Default Font Settings menu.​

 

D2L Brightspace

Upload files progress bar has been visually updated

In multiple tools (such as Assignments and Discussions), the upload files progress bar has been updated to improve visual consistency and accessibility. These improvements enhance support for those who use screen readers and assistive technologies. The progress bar indicators have been updated in areas, including: 

  • Content - Upload a file - Add a file - when uploading a file
  • Discussions - Thread or Reply - Attachments - when uploading a file attachment
  • Manage Files - Upload - when uploading a file

​ Previous progress bar when uploading a file to Content

Figure: Previous progress bar when uploading a file to Content

Updated progress bar when uploading a file to Content

Figure: Updated progress bar when uploading a file to Content

 

Grades

Bulk edit now supports excluding items from final grade

In the Grades tool, instructors can now use the Exclude from Final Grade Calculation column when bulk editing grade items and categories. Selecting this option excludes the grade item or category from the final grade calculation.​

Note: This new check box option is only available in courses using the Points grading system. Courses using Weighted or Formula grading systems can also exclude items by instead assigning a weight of 0 or excluding them from the formula, respectively.​

​From the Bulk Edit page, select the Exclude from Final Grade Calculation ​check box for an item or category to omit it from the final grade. ​

Figure: From the Bulk Edit page, select the Exclude from Final Grade Calculation ​check box for an item or category to omit it from the final grade. ​

 

Learning Outcomes

Outcomes now grouped by Program/Institution or Course

In the Learning Outcomes tool, each outcome set is now displayed as a distinct group, (1) outcomes added from a program or institution set, and (2) course outcomes (called 'my learning outcomes').​

Additionally, Learning Outcomes are now clearly grouped by Outcome Set in other areas, such as release condition menus. This improved organization makes it easier for users to navigate and differentiate outcomes within a course.​

In Learning Outcomes, outcomes added from a program or institution, and course outcomes are now grouped in separate sections. ​

Figure: In Learning Outcomes, outcomes added from a program or institution, and course outcomes are now grouped in separate sections. ​

 

Warning messages when removing outcomes from Learning Outcomes page

In the Learning Outcomes tool, there have been improvements to the Learning Outcomes tool, including: 

  • Renamed lower-level outcomes to sub-outcomes for clearer terminology and improved consistency.​

  • Added warning messages when removing (previously 'delete') outcomes from a course:​

    • Warning when outcome is linked to activities. If an outcome is associated with an activity (such as an assignment, discussion, or quiz) and an instructor attempts to remove it, a pop-up message warns that the outcome may still have assessments linked to it.​

    • Confirmation when no assessments are linked. If no assessments are associated with the outcome, a message appears asking the instructor to confirm the removal.

After choosing remove from a sub-outcome menu, the Remove Outcome confirmation window states the outcome has assessments against it. ​

Figure: After choosing remove from a sub-outcome menu, the Remove Outcome confirmation window states the outcome has assessments against it. ​

After choosing remove from a sub-outcome menu, the Remove Outcome confirmation window to remove outcome.​

Figure: After choosing remove from a sub-outcome menu, the Remove Outcome confirmation window to remove outcome.​

 

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