Overview

This page describes recent significant changes and additions to D2L Brightspace that will impact most instructors. The MGH Institute IT department typically implements these changes between semesters. 

If you have any questions about these features or need additional assistance, please open a ticket at https://helpdesk.mghihp.edu

H5P Interactive Activities

H5P is now available within D2L Brightspace. H5P is a tool for creating interactive activities that can help you to engage students, provide more opportunities for authentic practice, and track activity completion. You can even create graded activities with the H5P toolset. 

You can access H5P via the Existing Activities dropdown menu when in the Content tool. Select the menu and then click H5P to open an interface where you can create, edit, and add H5P activities to your course. More detailed information and instructions related to H5P can be found in our “H5P for Faculty” course, which you can self-enroll in via the Discover Tool. 

A screenshot of the Content tool interface showing the Existing Activities menu expanded out with a red box around the H5P option.
Figure. A demonstration of where to find H5P within the Existing Activities dropdown in the Content tool.

Updated HTML Content Templates

You can now access new Version 5 (V5) HTML templates when creating pages in the Content tool. There are 4 templates included:

  • Basic Page V5 – A standard page good for most types of content.
  • Course Introduction V5 – Designed for the first module to introduce the course and instructor.
  • Weekly Overview V5 – Designed to be the first page of each module. Includes space for learning objectives and weekly activities.
  • Module Summary V5 – Designed to be the last page of each module, recapping the module’s content.

These new templates are easier to use than prior templates, with clearly marked editable areas to work in and are responsive across all devices/screen sizes. They are also designed to work well with new and upcoming D2L Brightspace features, including Creator+ and H5P. Prior versions of the HTML templates remain available until the beginning of the Summer 2026 semester.

A screenshot of the content page creation interface with the “Select a Document Template” dropdown expanded and a red box around the new templates.
Figure. A demonstration of where to access the new HTML templates when creating Content pages

Zero Point Quiz Questions

Starting in January 2026, you will be able to create 0 point questions in the Quizzes tool. This allows you to create questions that can gather additional, ungraded information right within the assessment. A common use case would be for “Honor Code” questions, where learners attest to following the MGH Institute Honor Code at the beginning of a quiz or exam.

A screenshot of the question creation interface with a red box around the Points box and the Points box showing a “0”.
Figure. A demonstration of how “0” may be entered in the Points box when creating a question.

A screenshot of the quiz question list, with a red box around a 0 point True/False question.
Figure. A demonstration of how a 0 point question appears alongside other questions on a quiz.

Due Dates for Discussions

Starting in January 2026, you will be able to add Due Dates on topics within the Discussions tool. The due date you add will be for the first post in a discussion topic, allowing you to more easily set expectations around when learners need to make their initial posts and responses. Learners who do not make a post before the Due Date will be flagged late, as is consistent with other assessment tools like Assignments and Quizzes. Due Dates for Discussions will also appear in the Calendar tool and trigger notifications for learners when the due date is 2 days away.

A screenshot of the Topic creation interface with a red box around the Due Date field.
Figure. A demonstration of how the Due Date entry box appears when creating a Discussion Topic.

Quiz Printing Tool

A new Quiz Printing tool is now available. Last semester, a widget version was released, but it had limitations. This updated Quiz Printing tool can generate printer-friendly versions of quizzes, useful for students who require accommodations for printed quizzes and it also allows you to print answer keys.

A screenshot of the "Print" option in the a D2L Brightspace quiz dropdown menu

For more information on using this tool, please see the Quiz Printing Tool page of our D2L Brightspace help site.

 

Reopen a Submitted Quiz Attempt

A new feature allows you to Reopen a submitted quiz attempt for a student. A student may accidentally submit their quiz before finishing, or their time may expire and the system will auto-submit the attempt. You now have the function to Reopen the attempt. 

A screenshot of the D2L Quiz toolbar with a red box around the "Reopen" option

For more information on Reopening a submitted quiz attempt please see our guide Reopening a Submitted Quiz