Discussion Post: HTML Text Editor - Students

Relevant to: faculty, staff, and 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

The Brightspace learning management system is Web-based and uses HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language) to create and edit discussion posts and most content that will be displayed as a web page. The Brightspace WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) HTML editor removes the need for users to understand HTML programming to create webpages while allowing individuals familiar with HTML the option to work directly with the code.

What to know about the HTML Text Editor

Since HTML editors are formatting for a web page, there are some key do's and don'ts to keep in mind. Important things to remember about text editors:

• What you see in the text box, may not look the same when displayed as a full web page in a browser.
• Keep formatting simple. Use the formatting options in the tool bar of the editor, it insures the final display will be accessible to all students while meeting any specific formatting options for APA and MLA citations.
• Do not copy and paste highly formatted text from Microsoft Word. The editor will interpret the formatting into HTML code and complex formatting can result in strange code that will affect how the page is displayed. Simple is better when copying and pasting content.
• Create tables using the table icon and enter the content. Never copy and paste a table from a WORD document or an internet site. (Again, think extra code that can cause issues).

Brightspace Editor Layout

Use the Brightspace editor to:

• Insert images.
• Add hyperlinks to text, files or URLs.
• Add tables.
• Change Text -- text header, size, font and more.
• Embed LEARNscape videos

Most Commonly Used Features

Bold/Italics/Underline: Select the text and click to add bold/italics/underlining or use the Control+B/Control+I/Control+U keys shortcut.

Quicklink: Use to link selected text to a file in Brightspace or an external resource.

List: Create a bulleted or numbered list.

Undo/Redo: Undo or Redo any action within the text box.

Insert Stuff: Add media such as a LEARNscape media file, YouTube video, Brightspace video note, or other links.

Image: To add an image, click and then select the image from file picker.

Table: Click to add a table to a page.

Source Code: Click to view and edit the HTML code.