A ‘Role’ defines the permissions an individual has in a Brightspace course. For example, an Instructor role allows an individual to create and modify course material, but a Learner role is only able to view material. A user’s role within a course can be found on the classlist page.
In credit courses, the instructor and registered students are automatically added to a course site by UVic’s Banner system. Waitlisted and auditing students can also be automatically included if you choose (via MyPage).
Instructor roles
Instructor
The instructor is the course “owner.” The instructor has access to all course site functions (e.g., class list, content, grades, communication, copy content between offerings). The instructor has the responsibility to provide access only to those who require it and can add/remove most roles below unless otherwise specified.
For Credit Courses: This role cannot be manually added. UVic Banner automatically adds/removes this role based on the instructor of record for the course.
Supplemental Instructors
Supplemental Instructors are instructors who have been added to a course in Brightspace, but are not listed as an instructor on record in Banner. Supplemental Instructors have the same permissions within the course as instructors, but they cannot enroll users in courses.
Teaching assistant roles
Super Teaching Assistant
Super Teaching Assistant (Super TA) can grade submissions and manage course content. This includes the ability to import/export grades, see the authors of anonymous posts, add forums and topics, delete and restore forums and topics, view assignment submission folders, create, remove, and edit quizzes, reset and restore attempts, add special access and release conditions, copy and reorder in quizzes, create and edit submission view, and associate quizzes with grade items.
Teaching Assistant
Teaching Assistants have the ability to grade and provide feedback. They do not have the ability to edit course content or modules.
Learner roles
Learner
The learner is the standard student role. Learners can view content and participate in activities within the course. Learners cannot add new content/activities, modify existing content/activities, or grade. Learners are able to view the classlist and the roles each individual has in the class.
For Credit Courses: This role cannot be manually added. UVic Banner automatically adds/removes this role based on course registration. Updates are processed each minute.
Supplemental Learner
The Supplemental Learner role is exactly the same as the Learner role, but can be manually added to CRN courses. This role is useful for select instances where a learner needs to fully participate in a course, but is not registered or waitlisted.
Waitlisted Student
This role is given to all students on the waitlist if the instructor chooses to enable access in MyPage. Waitlisted students can do everything a Learner can, but cannot self-enroll in groups. Students in this role are automatically converted to Learner / removed from the course as their status is updated in Banner. Add waitlisted students to a course via MyPage.
Auditing Student
This role is given to all auditing students if the instructor chooses to enable access in MyPage. Auditing students can do everything a Learner can, but cannot self-enroll in groups. Add auditing students to a course via MyPage.
For Credit Courses: Instructors can choose to allow access to waitlisted and auditing students in MyPage. UVic Banner automatically adds/removes this role based on registration in the course. Add Waitlisted or Auditing students
Additional roles (requiring request)
Extended Access Learner
The Extended Access Learner role is exactly the same as the Learner role, but allows student access to course materials past the end date of the course. This role requires the instructor’s permission and is not the same as a Deferred Student.
Deferred Student
The Deferred Student role is given to Learners who, due to unforeseen circumstances, need access to the course after its end date to complete the course. They have the same permissions as Learners, but can access the course past its end date. When we give this role, we need to know how long the student needs access to the course for so we can set a reminder to remove their access on a specific date.
Guest
The Guest role is often given to people such as guest speakers. Guests can view the course the way a Learner can, but they do not appear in or have access to the class list or gradebook. Instructors cannot add Guests. Guests may also need to have affiliate IDs sponsored to allow them access to Brightspace. Here is a link to more information.
Services
The Services role is given to people who support student accommodations, such as those working with the Centre for Accessible Learning (CAL). Requests for this role typically originate from the CAL and are coordinated with LTSI.
The Services role has similar permissions to the TA role, with a few differences. The Services role can access inactive courses before they open, and can access content in hidden modules, quizzes and assignments so that they can provide accessible alternative formats, if that is specified as part of a student’s accommodation plan. The Service role cannot be emailed by students, cannot grade assessments and cannot access the gradebook.
Program Admin
Program Admin can be granted upon request for a specific course or school/department. This role is limited to UVic employees who need administrative functions for their role (e.g. creating and importing course sites, managing enrollment, etc.). Requests must receive approval from the Chair and TIL Learning Technology Manager. Program Admins must receive an orientation meeting to explain the role and the requirements of use (VPN). Requirement to have that role should also be re-confirmed with the Chair and department at the start of each term.
Other roles?
Please contact Technology Integrated Learning for assistance with roles.
