Virtual Campus (Brightspace) for students
When embarking on a journey to pursue a university course, it is imperative to ensure that your computer meets certain minimum requirements. These requirements are the backbone of your academic success, as they directly impact your ability to engage with course materials, complete assignments, and participate in virtual learning environments. On the following IT webpage, you will see the essential computer specifications and hardware components necessary to navigate the demanding world of university-level programs. Whether you're a prospective student or looking to upgrade your existing setup, understanding these minimum requirements will help you make the most of your educational experience. Let's dive into the key considerations for your academic computing needs..
What is Virtual Campus (Brightspace)
Virtual Campus (Brightspace) is the online learning platform at uOttawa. Use Brightspace to access course material shared with you by your professor, such as:
- assignments
- quizzes
- grades
- discussion forums
- media such as videos, slides, photos or other resources
Get help using Brightspace
There are several ways for you to get help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days per year.
- Virtual Campus support portal with chat (quickest method)
- Phone: (866) 811-3201
- Support form
Access and key resources
Login to the Virtual Campus (Brightspace) and discover the list of the courses your professors prepared for you. If you can not see your courses, please get in touch with your professor.
Pulse brings news, deadlines, and grades together in one place so that you can spend more time learning.
Find answers to the most common questions to help you get the most out of Virtual Campus (Brightspace).
Documentation
Brightspace knowledge hub for learners
You’ve got questions? Find answers for students at the Brightspace knowledge hub.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
What do I need
Most modern computers can access all aspects of a course within the Brightspace platform without a problem. Please note that you may encounter difficulty accessing or viewing material within Brightspace on a mobile device (i.e. cell phone, tablet). The Brightspace platform works with Windows and Macintosh computers and most web browsers. Below is a complete list of supported browsers; however, Chrome and Firefox are the recommended browsers.
- Microsoft Edge (Note: Microsoft Internet Explorer is not supported)
- Mozilla Firefox
- Google Chrome
- Safari
- Firefox
Please ensure that you have the most up-to-date version of the Browser. You will need a strong Internet broadband connection to participate in online activities presented through Brightspace. You should also have the latest plug-in for Flash (www.adobe.com/products/flashplayer/).
How do I connect to Virtual Campus?
Please click on this link. You will be automatically logged in (if you already have an SSO session active on your computer), or you will be redirected to the University of Ottawa Single Sign-On page, where you can use your uoAccess ID. You do not know your uoAccess credential? Please read this page on the IT website to know more.
I forgot my password, who should I contact?
You have to use your uoAccess credential to connect to the Virtual Campus.
If you forgot your password, you could call the University Help desk at 613-562-6555.
Your uoAccess account is used to access many web systems at the University of Ottawa. Setting up your security questions and recovery email facilitates changing and managing the password of your account. When you get your uoAccess account information, set up your security questions and recovery email address, and then change your password. You can do all this yourself with ease anytime and in any place. go to this website to know more.
To change your uoAccess password, use the password management tool.
Need help? Contact the Service Desk.
Can I change the language of the Virtual Campus interface?
- Click on your name at the upper right of your screen and click on the Account Settings Menu
- Scroll down until you see Locale & Language
- Click on the arrow of the drop-down menu under Locale & Language
- Select your language and save the page
Why is my course not available in the course list?
There may be several reasons why you may not be able to see a course in the Virtual Campus list. The most common is that your instructor has decided not to use the Virtual Campus. It is also possible that the course does exist on the platform but that your instructor has not yet opened it to students. To be sure, please contact your instructor directly for more information.
Where can I find my grades in the Virtual Campus?
You can find several tutorial videos created by D2L. See below the one describing how to find your grades.
How long will I be able to have access to my course?
The professor controls the availability of a course. However, our archiving policy is as follows:
Courses are removed from the system 24 months after the semester they were created for. For example, a September 2019 course that ends in December 2019 will be permanently removed from the system on January 1st, 2022.
If, during that time, you do not have access to your course, please contact the professor directly.
What do I need to know about my online/blended course?
If you are going to take a fully online course or a blended course, the TLSS has created a guide to help you prepare for those kinds of learning methods. Click here to download the guide.