This article explains why faculty are unable to edit or customize the course navigation bar (NavBar) and homepage in D2L Brightspace. It provides background on the university’s decision to standardize the D2L Brightspace experience and clarifies what changes faculty can and cannot make.
This information is intended for instructors who have questions about course navigation, homepage customization, or recent changes to D2L Brightspace.
Consistent Course NavBar and Homepage
To create a more consistent and accessible experience for students, the university implemented a standardized D2L Brightspace course homepage and NavBar across all courses.
This decision was made by the Provost and Executive Team as part of a broader institutional initiative. As a result:
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Faculty no longer have access to edit or customize the course NavBar
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Faculty no longer have access to edit or customize the course homepage
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All students now experience a consistent layout and navigation structure across courses
Standardizing the NavBar and homepage helps reduce student confusion, improves usability, and supports institutional quality initiatives.
FAQ
Why can’t I change my course NavBar?
Faculty access to modify the course NavBar has been removed to ensure a consistent navigation experience for all students across D2L Brightspace courses.
Why can’t I edit my course homepage?
Course homepage editing has been disabled to maintain a standardized design that aligns with institutional accessibility, usability, and quality goals.
When was this decision made?
The decision was implemented beginning last semester by the Provost and Executive Team.
Where can I learn more about this change?
A detailed explanation is available in the Fountain article "Consistent D2L Brightspace Course Navigation becoming Standard as part of the HLC Quality Initiative".
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