Self-guided tour (for students) – Teaching & Learning Support (2024)

Category: Help for Students

Welcome to this self-guided tour, which will help kick-start your studies at the TU Delft. On this page, we take you past the following topics:

  1. Getting familiar with Brightspace
  2. Brightspace courses
  3. TU Delft Essential tools for students
  4. Questions & Support

1. Getting familiar with Brightspace

Login to Brightspace

Go tobrightspace.tudelft.nlto log in to Brightspace. You will be prompted with the login screen below. This login works on an up-to-date web browser, and on most operating systems, and yes, even on a tablet or mobile devices. We do recommend Google Chrome on a laptop or desktop computer.

Issues? Try changing your password via password.tudelft.nl.

Brightspace homepage

After logging in, you will arrive at the Brightspace home page. There, you will find a number of relevant buttons and sections to consider:

  1. Home: Go to the Brightspace Home Page.
  2. Profile and Preference settings :See your personal updates and set your personal Brightspacesettings.
    • Course MenuSelf-guided tour (for students) – Teaching & Learning Support (3)– Find and go to your courses. Pin Courses to see them on top.
    • Subscription alertsSelf-guided tour (for students) – Teaching & Learning Support (4)–See new post in forums, Topics, or Threads that you’ve subscribed to.
    • NotificationsSelf-guided tour (for students) – Teaching & Learning Support (5)–See notifications from all Courses. An orange dot indicates new, unread notifications.
    • Profile– Set your personal Brightspace settings.
  3. Navigation bar: Quickly locate different TUDelft tools and resources.
    • My Home– Go to the Brightspace Home Page.
    • My Timetable– Add the schedule of your courses.
    • MyTUDelft(Studentportal of Osiris) – Check your final grades and (un)enroll from Courses.
    • Catalog(Un)Enroll from courses. (External students do not see this menu.)
    • Resources– link to Career & Counselling Services; Collegerama; My Kaltura Media; Readers; Software Download and the Student Portal.
    • Help– Tips for how to use Brightspace and where to go for support.
  4. Announcements: See the TU-wide announcements.
  5. Pinned Courses:See the Courses you’ve pinned. More information on how to pin courses.
  6. My Courses: See and go to all Courses for which you are currently enrolled are presented.
  7. TU Delft Student News: See the recent news for students.

Profile settings

  1. Click on Your name (top right) and chooseProfile
  2. Here you can add/change your Profile picture and Hometown.

    This information is visible to everyone!

Notification Settings

Using notifications is the easiest way to keep up to date with all course-related communications. New notifications will be indicated with an orange dot on the Notifications-icon on Brightspace:

You can choose to be notified about course announcements, new content, feedback, assignments, updates on feedback, grades being released, and receive warnings 2 days prior to assignment and quiz due dates. You can set how and when you get Notifications:

  1. Click on Your name (top right), then onNotifications.
  2. Choose your settings:
    • Contact Methods: where should the Notifications go?
    • Summary of Activity: do you want a summary of your Notifications and do you want it Daily or Weekly.
    • Instant Notifications: which Notifications do you want to have by E-mail?
  3. Check theCustomizeNotifications
  4. Optionally Exclude Some Courses from sending Notifications.
  5. Don’t forget to Save the changes!

Account Settings

  1. Click on Your name to expand the drop-down menu and chooseAccount Settings.
  2. Once you select it, you will see three major sections:
    • Account settings: here you will be able to modify general account settings, from the font display to language, to time zone and various other application settings.
    • Discussions: in this section, you may change the display or reply settings for Discussion forums.
    • Email: In the last section you can create an email signature where you can add your contact details for example. Once yousaveit, it will work as your default email within Brightspace.

You can always return to this section for making changes or updates.

Pulse app (Brightspace app)

The mobile application for Brightspace is called Pulse. The application allows you to:

  • Access content
  • Retrieve push notifications for events and grades

To learn more about the application and how to use it, please visit this page.

2. Brightspace Courses

Enrolling for Brightspace Courses

Depending on the faculty that a Course belongs to, the enrollment for a course in Brightspace is different.

More information on the type of enrollment per faculty.

In case you can register for a Brightspace Course through the Course Catalog:

Read how to enroll via the course Catalog

To obtain access to an exam, a Brightspace enrollment is not sufficient. You need to have signed up for the exam through MyTUDelft.

Access Courses Instantly and pin them in your search bar

Course menu

  1. Use the grid-icon (9 small squares) to go to the Course menu and quickly switch between one course and another course.
  2. Pin and unpin your most used Courses at the Course menu by clicking the pushpin-icon at the rights side of a course.
    This way you canswitch from one to the other Course faster.

My Courses

Via theMy Courseswidget on the homepage you can find all courses that you are enrolled in.

  • In the My Courses widget on the home page, you can find all Courses that you are enrolled in.
  • Use the Tabs in widget to navigate to any Course you would like to access.
  • If you do not see a Course listed, you can use the ViewAll Courses link at the bottom of the widget.
    Here you can see more Courses and Search for Courses.
  • The My Courses widget will show icons indicating if there are any new discussions, quizzes, or assignments in a course that you have not yet completed.
  • To pinCourses simply click the 3-dots in the top right corner of a Course, and clickPin.
    Now the Course is accessible in the Course Menu and the announcements show up in the My Pinned Courses Widget on the homepage.

My Pinned Courses

In the My Pinned Courses widget, the last announcement of a pinned course is shown. If a course has multiple announcements, the latest one will be visible and a link below will show how many more there are. The first 200 characters of announcements are shown, and you can use the More link at the end to navigate to the rest of the announcement. The presence of a picture icon indicates that an announcement contains media, links, or attachments that are not visible in the widget.

You can pin an unlimited amount of courses, but to keep a good overview, we advise only pinning current courses and organizations.
If you wish to change the order in which courses are listed, so that the last pinned course shows as the first one in the list, you can pin/unpin courses until they are in the order you wish.

Course Structure

Once inside acourse, you will see the same elements at the top of the page as on the Brightspace Home Page (TU Delft logo, the navigation bar etc.). Just below that, you will see the name of the course you are in, with a background picture called a course banner, like this:

Below that you will find theCalendarandUpcoming eventswidgets on the left, and theAnnouncementsnext to them.

Navigate back to the top to the navigation bar:

  • Course Homewill always take you back to the home page of the course.
  • Contentis where you will find all the documents, videos and quizzes that the instructor makes available to you.
  • Collaborationgives you access to Groups and Discussion boards. Note that this is not used in all courses, but you might still be able to access it.
  • Assignmentstakes you to all the submission folders for this course.
  • Gradesdisplays all the grades that the instructor might make available.

Click onContentto access the course material. You will see a menu on the left-hand side and the content of your course displayed on the right. The menu items at the top are standard in all courses.

Anything below that is customized by instructors. Click through the course to familiarise yourself with the layout.

You can also download thePulse app. This app is currently mainly used for receiving course notifications, but you can also use it to access some course materials.

Download course material

1. Go to theContentsection of your course at the top navigation bar.
2. Click the
Table of contents.
3. And finally press the
Downloadbutton.

Use bookmarks within a course

Add bookmarks to anything in a Brightspace course by:

  1. Clicking on the bookmark icon. You can only add a bookmark for a specific content item, see the example below.Once you do that for a content item, you will find the bookmarked item under the Content link in each course – to help you quickly find items again.
  2. Click on the Bookmarksbutton to find your bookmarked content.

Search for items in your course

Search your entire course for documents. Not all items are searchable, but this can help you find files and instructions quickly.

Use the Course Schedule to stay updated

See all upcoming deliverables and dates for your course. Click on the Course Schedulewithin your course.

Adjust the font size and preferences that best suit you

  1. Click on your name (top right in Brightspace)
  2. Then click onAccount Settingsto select your font settings.
    The built-in OpenDyslexicfont can also make reading the site easier.

Discussion board notifications

To make sure you are notified when new messages are added to the discussion forum, please follow these instructions:

  1. Update your Notification settings;
  2. Subscribe the Discussion Forum – in the example described below: ‘Q&A Forum’ – and all related topics and threads;

Let us look at the process in more detail.

Step 1: Update your Notification settings:

Navigate to your Notifications Settings.


Scroll down to Instant Notifications and thick the option Discussions– new post in a forum, topic, or thread that I subscribed to in instant notifications. Click Save once you are done.

Step 2: Subscribe the Discussion Forum – in this example: ‘Q&A Forum’ – and all related topics:

Go to Discussions.

Scroll down to – in this example: ‘Q&A Forum’ – and Subscribe this Forum by clicking the arrow and selecting Subscribe. A new window opens, select ‘Send me an instant notification’.

Scroll down to any existing threads and Subscribe to this topic. A new window opens and click Subscribe. You will now start receiving notifications for that topic.

3. TU Delft Essential Tools for students

Brightspace is not the only platform used across TU Delft. In fact, there are a number of other tools which help you do all kinds of stuff. A short overview is provided here. If you are looking for more in-depth information on a specific tool, please click on the respective link or perform a search in the search bar on the top-right.

MyTimetable

In MyTimetable you can view, download and connect your timetable to calendar applications such as Microsoft Outlook, Google Calendar, Apple Calendar or a calendar app on your smartphone.

You can access MyTimetable using mytimetable.tudelft.nlor the Brightspace Navigation Bar.

To add courses to your agenda, click on add timetable. Here, you can select individual courses or a set of courses belonging to a specific group.

For more information about MyTimetable and manuals on connecting with your personal calendar,click here.

MyTUDelft (Studentportal of Osiris)

MyTUDelft is the study information system of TU Delft. Here you can find your study resultsand register for exams, courses and minors.

You can access MyTUDelft by navigating to my.tudelft.nl or by clicking onMyTUDelft in the Navigation Bar on the Brightspace homepage:

Note: you need to register between 8 and 2 weeks prior to the exam!
More information about MyTUDelft can be found in this link.

MyTUDelft App

In the MyTUDelft app you can see your timetable, test results and study progress, among other things. The app extracts this information from MyTimetable and MyTUDelft.

You can find the app in the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store.

For more information about this application, visit this page.

MS Teams

To find more information on how MS Teams works and how to use it, go to this page.

Virtual Classroom (Bongo)

To find more information on how Virtual Classroom works and how to use it, go to this page.

Change Password

You can change your password by going topassword.tudelft.nl.

E-service

One-service.tudelft.nl you can see your personal TU Delft profile, including personal information. You can update this information here.

Webmail

All students have an email account:

  • Initials.surname@student.tudelft.nl (usually, but not always this format.)
  • Different from you NetID, which is your username and unique identifier.

For logging into your student mailbox, navigate to webmail.tudelft.nl or Outlook mailbox.

For more information about webmail, including manuals, visit this link.

Starting from July 4. 2023 it is no longer possible to automatically forward your @student.tudelft.nl emails to your personal account. Use the TU Delft mailbox instead.

Studyguide

The Studyguide can be accessed through studiegids.tudelft.nl. The purpose of this website is to provide an overview of all courses offered by TU Delft.

Software Download

The TU Delft has a number of licenses for different software applications. The download page for each of these licensed applications can be found in your Brightspace home page. Click on Resources and then head to software download.

4. Questions & Support

Do you have any questions after reading this self-guide? Do not hesitate to contact us through the following channels:

  • Questions about your NetID, enrollment and MyTUDelft, contact Contact Centre
  • Questions about IT/software/wifi, contact Student IT Desk (SID)
  • Questions about your program, contact your lecturer or faculty coordinator

Questions about Brightspace, contact contactcentre-esa@tudelft.nl.

Self-guided tour (for students) – Teaching & Learning Support (2024)

FAQs

What is the role of the teacher in self-directed learning? ›

The teacher plays a key role in helping students make a smooth transition from teacher-directed to self-directed learning. The teacher must assess the students' readiness for the method, establish the boundaries of the students' decisions about their learning and teach about the methodology.

How can teachers use field trips as learning experiences? ›

By stepping outside of the classroom, we provide students an opportunity to see connections between what is happening at school and in the real world. They begin to take what they have learned in the classroom and apply it to the situations around them.

Why self direction is important for students personal growth throughout their academic careers? ›

In a self-directed learning environment, students decide what, how, and when they learn, as well as who they learn from. This autonomy, supported by teachers or parents, allows students to reach their potential by exploring their interests and developing relevant skills.

What is a self-directed student? ›

Self-directed learning, also known as student-directed learning, is an educational theory or method of content delivery in which the student takes control of their own education. Through the use of self-directed learning, students set their own goals and deadlines while following a broad assignment outcome.

What are some examples of self-directed learning in education? ›

Short online courses are an excellent example of self-directed learning. Tutors design the content of the course, and learners are then free to complete it at their own pace and in their own learning style. This type of course is common within universities and corporate environments.

How can teachers support self-directed learning? ›

Another method that can be used to help promote SDL is through learning contracts. A learning contract is an agreement between the instructor and student that specifies the work the learner will complete in a given time period.

What are 3 educational benefits of taking students on a field trip? ›

Field trips allow students to collaborate with their peers, explore new environments, make connections, problem solve, develop trust, and empathy. Unfortunately, we have seen field trips being used as a positive reinforcement for good behavior instead of being used as a tool to enhance social-emotional development.

What is a field trip as a teaching method? ›

So, in summary a field trip is a chance to take children out of the classroom and to have new, exciting, and hands-on experiences. Taking kids on an adventure helps to build bonds among the students. It also helps in providing a change in routine for the students and keeps them engaged in learning.

How field trips improve observation skills? ›

Field trips allow children to directly engage with interesting topics they are studying. Whether it's visiting a museum, a historical site, a science center, or a farm, students can touch, see, and experience concepts firsthand, which enhances their understanding and retention of information.

How does self learning affect your academic performance? ›

Studies have consistently shown that students who apply SRL strategies tend to demonstrate higher levels of academic achievement . These strategies include self-monitoring, goal-setting, self-evaluation, and effort regulation, which positively impact learning outcomes.

How do you inspire students to be more self-directed? ›

Encourage kids to write plans, draw blueprints or create lists. When they know exactly what they want to achieve and the steps they need to take to get there, students are much more likely to complete a project. This helps with perseverance and confidence.

Why is self-concept important in education? ›

According to the “expectancy-value” motivation theory, self-concept clarity, as one of the important elements of the self-concept system, provides a motivational basis for promoting high school students' learning engagement and positively influences their learning behaviors [50].

What is the purpose of self-guided learning time? ›

Why should you try self-directed learning? If you like taking responsibility for what you learn and master, a self-directed learning experience might be the right way to go. Independent learning gives you the freedom to learn something new or challenging when and how you want. And you get to manage the time frame.

How to learn effective approaches for self-guided learning? ›

Set goals in order to focus your desired learning outcomes. Practice and apply the skills you learn to do what matters. Reflect on what you've learned in order to think critically about the information you receive. Reflect on the progress made towards your goals as a way to boost motivation.

How to improve self-learning skills? ›

Responsibilities in the Four-Step Process
  1. Self-assess your readiness to learn.
  2. Define your learning goals and develop a learning contract.
  3. Monitor your learning process.
  4. Take initiative for all stages of the learning process — be self-motivated.
  5. Re-evaluate and alter goals as required during your unit of study.

What should be a teacher's goal in self-directed learning? ›

What should be a teacher's goal in self-directed learning? Engage as many students as possible through differentiated instruction.

What are the roles of teachers in autonomous learning? ›

As opposed to the traditional role of teachers, in a learner-centered, communicative and autonomous class, the teacher should shift the role from teacher-centered to the learner-centered mode, in which the learner is the centre of the program.

What is the role of the teacher in independent learning? ›

Independent learning requires a strong student-teacher relationship with a high level of trust. The teacher must adapt their approach to deadlines, ensure access to relevant resources, and maintain open communication about tasks and student progress.

What is the role of the teacher in direct instruction? ›

This type of instruction is teacher-directed, where a teacher typically stands at the front of a room and presents information. Teachers match their instruction to the task to enhance students' understanding of a topic. This technique depends on strict lesson plans with little room for variation.

References

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