Educational Technology Services End of Term Update

As the trimester comes to a close, we would like to share a quick reminder about a few key points below.

Exam support 

Where you experience issues for online exams, Module Coordinators (or nominees) can create a self-service ticket using the category "Exam Support" via the IT Support Hub (www.ucd.ie/ithelp). This will move the query straight to the ETS (Educational Technologies Services, IT Services) call queue, where it will be addressed as a matter of priority for live exams. 

Note: An auto-response message will be issued to indicate that calls logged in this way will be handled as a matter of priority for live exams.

IT Services have created a number of support resources to assist you during the examination period. You can find these on our Knowledge base and some of the key items are linked before for your reference:

• Checklist - Before the Quiz Start Date
• (opens in a new window)Assignment Set up Checklist
• (opens in a new window)Resolving student problems during a Live Quiz
• (opens in a new window)Knowledge Base - Quizzes

VLE Retention Policy

A reminder that the VLE retention policy came into effect in May 2024. The first tranche of modules have been deleted as part of the implementation of this policy and modules will continue to be deleted from the system in line with the retention periods specified within the policy. 

Please ensure you retain any information from Brightspace that you may require for future reference either by copying information to your sandbox, or you can bulk download learning and assessment material. Further information can be found on the VLE retention policy webpage. 

New Content Experience

UCD is moving all modules to the Brightspace New Content Experience (NCE) for the 2025/26 academic year.  Instructors can start to use the New Content Experience in your Spring Trimester modules now. As we come to the end of the teaching trimester, you can start to prepare your module for the move next year. There will be a new NCE Module readiness widget on the home pages of teaching modules which will be visible from the week starting 9th Dec. Using this you will be able to see what steps you can take to help you prepare, or check out the New Content Experience checklist for more information. Keep up to date on upcoming training, enhancements and next steps on our dedicated Brightspace New Content Experience (NCE) webpage.

Peer Review Pilot

Our Peer Review pilot continues in the Spring Trimester with Feedback Fruits. If you are interested in incorporating peer review or group member evaluation into your module, you can sign up to the pilot (opens in a new window)via this google form. The Spring onboarding session will take place on 16 January at 10am. Further information can be found on the Peer Review project webpage.