Learning Management System (D2L Brightspace) Support

Overview

D2L Brightspace is the official Learning Management System (LMS) used at Southwest Minnesota State University (SMSU).

D2L Brightspace provides a central place to:

  • Access course materials
  • Submit assignments
  • View grades and feedback
  • Communicate with instructors and classmates

You must sign in to D2L Brightspace to view your courses and course content.

Accessing D2L Brightspace

To access D2L Brightspace:

Once signed in, your active courses should appear on your D2L home page.

Student Information

Using D2L Brightspace as a Student

D2L Brightspace allows undergraduate, graduate, and online students to stay connected with their coursework 24/7.

Important notes for students:

  • If you are registered for a class, your D2L course is automatically created and associated with your account.
  • Not all classes use D2L Brightspace. Some courses may appear in D2L but contain little or no content.
  • If a class does not appear in D2L:
    1. First, contact your instructor to confirm you are listed in the course.
    2. If your instructor confirms everything is correct but you still cannot access the course, contact the Technology Resource Center (TRC) Helpdesk.

D2L Brightspace Training for Students

SMSU provides a free D2L Brightspace training course for students. This course helps you learn how to:

  • Navigate D2L Brightspace
  • Submit assignments
  • Check grades and feedback
  • Use common D2L tools effectively

D2L Brightspace Pulse

D2L Brightspace Support for Students

If you need additional help with D2L Brightspace, contact the TRC Helpdesk.

Faculty and Staff Information

Using D2L Brightspace as an Instructor

D2L Brightspace allows instructors to:

  • Organize and share course materials
  • Communicate with students
  • Manage assignments and assessments
  • Record and publish grades

Faculty and staff access D2L Brightspace using their StarID and StarID password.

Instructional Support from COLT

The Center for Learning and Teaching (COLT) provides instructional support for faculty using D2L Brightspace.

COLT offers:

  • Workshops and training sessions
  • One‑on‑one consultations
  • Support for online course design
  • Assistance with academic technology and media
  • Administrative support for program development

To request assistance:

Getting Help with D2L Brightspace

  • Students: Contact the Technology Resource Center (TRC) Helpdesk for access or technical issues.
  • Faculty and Staff: Contact COLT for instructional and course‑design support, or the TRC Helpdesk for technical issues.