About the Pulse App

Relevant to: students

This article contains information considered accurate at the time of publishing. Technology updates, changes in University security practices, policies and procedures may effect the information in this article - updates to articles are scheduled on a periodic basis and will address any required changes.

Introduction

Brightspace's app, called Pulse, is available to download from the App Store and Google Play. There are some visual differences between looking at Brightspace on a computer browser versus in the Pulse app. For the best experience (to prevent loss of work), using a web browser version is recommended for assignment submission and grading. Please note: SUNY Empire's ITS department does not support the app should any technical troubles arise. 

Install the App

Visit the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store to download and install the "Brightspace Pulse" app. The app icon will look like a heartbeat image against a reddish-orange background:

The Pulse icon

Logging in the First Time

  1. When you first launch the app, you will get a few screens welcoming you and introducing the available features. Select "Next" on the bottom right to see more features until you reach a screen with a "Get Started" button.
  2. Select the "Get Started" button.
  3. The app may prompt you to allow it to use your location. If it does, choose "Allow."
  4. The next screen will show a search box at the top that says "Find your school or institution." Enter "SUNY Empire" in the search box and select "SUNY Empire" when it appears in the list.
    • Please Note: you may also see "Empire State College" in the list of schools. This option will take you to the SUNY-wide instance of Brightspace. To access courses for the Fall 2024 term, be sure to use the SUNY Empire option and to access courses for Summer 2024, use the Empire State College option.
  5. Depending on your device, it may present a screen asking you to use your google account. If it does this, select "Use without an account". If you don't see this screen, skip to the next step.
  6. The next screen may ask you to Select a Campus from a drop down menu. If so, choose Empire State from the list. Select the Remember Campus item to remember this choice. Then select the "Log In" button.
  7. Enter your SUNY Empire username and password, just as you would to log into MySUNYEmpire.

Navigating the Pulse App

  1. Unlike what you see in a web browser, in the Pulse app, your options for Upcoming (calendar), and Notifications will appear along the bottom of the page. The My Courses widget will display all courses you are enrolled into much like you see in a web browser.
  2. Select a course and you will see a simplified navigation menu with just "Content" and "Grades" across the top.
  3. You have the option to view the course homepage and navbar in web browser mode. Select the 3-dot ellipsis in the top right corner and select "Launch Course Homepage."
  4. You will see your course minibar with email, alerts, and notifications at the top, the course homepage, and a "hamburger" menu on the upper left that contains the course navbar. Note: If you are using a tablet or a phone with a larger screen, or your screen is in landscape orientation, you may not see the "hamburger" and your screen may look very similar to the full website experience.
  5. Select the hamburger menu and you will see the same options available on the course navbar that are available in a computer web browser. Your minibar (email, alerts and notifications icons) remains at the top, but your course navbar will cover it when opened.
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