As we get closer to the start of the Fall semester, there are a few noteworthy updates to Brightspace. These updates should come out overnight on August 13, 2026.
The highlights of the August 2026 Brightspace update include:
- Learning Outcomes 鈥� Align learning outcomes to content modules and submodules for enhanced course design and coverage visibility
- Quizzes 鈥� Improved filter and source dropdowns in Question Library
- Quizzes 鈥� Flag questions and strikethrough answer options
As a reminder, we recently announced the upcoming transition to the New Content Experience for courses starting in Fall 2027. If you want more information on that transition, what the New Content Experience is, and how instructors and course builders can start using it now, please refer to our Transition page here.
Learning Outcomes 鈥� Align learning outcomes to content modules and submodules for enhanced course design and coverage visibility
Learning outcomes can now be aligned directly to content modules and submodules, extending outcome alignment beyond topics and assessment activities. This enhancement provides a more intentional and structured way to map learning outcomes across the entire course hierarchy.
Instructors and course builders can align one or more learning outcomes when creating or editing content modules and submodules. These alignments are also surfaced within the Outcomes Coverage Experience, allowing users to view and manage course-wide outcome coverage across modules, submodules, topics, and assessment activities in a single location within the New Content Experience. This builds on the update to Outcomes Coverage Experience from the July Brightspace update.
Quizzes 鈥� Improved filter and source dropdowns in Question Library
This update improves the source and filter dropdowns in the听Browse Existing Questions dialog to better align with Brightspace standards and provide a more consistent experience. Both dropdowns now include a search听option, helping instructors find sources and filters more quickly.
Figure: The听Source听dropdown with a search field in Question Library.听
Figure: The filter dropdown with a search field in Question Library.听
Quizzes 鈥� Flag questions and strikethrough answer options
This release introduces the question annotation option in Quizzes. Students can flag quiz questions to revisit later and apply strikethrough formatting to answer options to help narrow their choices.
Students can select the bookmark icon beside a quiz question to flag it for review. Flagged questions appear in the left navigation, allowing learners to quickly return to them. Students can also select the strikethrough icon beside answer options to cross out choices they believe are incorrect. Both of these additions help improve the overall student experience when taking quizzes in Brightspace.
Figure: A flagged quiz question with an answer听option听shown in strikethrough.听
If needed, Instructors can disable these tools for students by selecting Hide question annotation tools听in the听Timing & Display听section of the quiz edit page.
Figure: When creating or editing a quiz, in the听Timing & Display听section, select听Hide question annotation tools听to disable question flagging and answer听option听strikethrough for learners.