Navbar and Widgets
Navbar
Standardized Navigation Bar
As of Fall 2026, a standardized navigation bar is in place across all Brightspace courses. This navbar cannot be edited or changed by instructors.
Student survey data showed that differing course site structures from semester to semester create unnecessary cognitive load — students must relearn where to find basic tools and materials depending on the course. A consistent navbar reduces that friction while preserving the tools instructors rely on most.
What this means:
- Navigation is standardized across all courses for a more consistent student experience.
- Individual courses can no longer create custom navigation bars.
- The standardized navigation bar matches the previous default navigation bar, so courses that were already using the default will see no change.
- Departments with demonstrable and documented pedagogical needs may request a custom navigation bar by emailing intech@arizona.edu.
Library Guide
The default navbar includes a Library Guide link to a "Quick Start" subject research guide, connecting students to relevant research resources in their discipline. Librarians can also create custom course guides (opens in new tab) tailored to your course and discipline to help students understand the research process and complete assignments.
To request a custom research guide, contact the librarians in your discipline (opens in new tab).
Add, Edit, or Remove Widgets on the Course Homepage
Important
In order to add or edit widgets, you must first follow the steps to make a copy of a homepage in Edit the Course Homepage.
Step 1
From the Homepages tool (i.e., within Course Admin), select the name of the homepage you want to edit.
Step 2a
To add a widget, scroll down to the Widgets section of the Edit Homepage view and select the Add Widgets button in the panel where you want to widget to appear.
Step 2b
Select the widget(s) you want to add from the Custom and System Widget filters and select Add.
Note
The Custom Widgets filter includes any widgets that have been created by the University of Arizona, such as custom international clock widgets for international campuses, the Microsoft Teams widget, etc. If you need a clock widget for a country that is not represented in this list, contact the Instructional Technology Team for assistance.
Step 3
To move a widget, hover over the widget you want to move, select and drag the widget to your desired location anywhere on the homepage. The bar above other widgets lets you know where it will insert.
Step 4
To remove a widget, hover over the widget and select the Remove (X) icon (top right corner).
Step 5
Once you are finished making changes, select Save and Close.
Use the Microsoft Teams Widget
Note
The Instructional Technology Team is only able to support the process of adding or removing the Microsoft Teams widget to your Course Homepage. For help with the Teams app, please contact 24/7 IT Support (opens in new tab).
Step 1
Select Edit Settings on the Microsoft Teams Widget if you would like to enable learners to create new private channels for communication.
Step 2
Select Open Your Team if you are ready to start inviting members (using Add Member), then you can begin using Teams.
Create Custom Widgets
Note
Each widget is a mini-web page with an HTML Editor at the top.
Step 1
Select Course Admin on the navbar and select Widgets.
Step 2
Select Create Widget.
Step 3
Give the widget a Name.
Step 4
Select Content.
Step 5
In the HTML Editor, add what you want to the widget — this can include text, video, images, and links.
Step 6
Select Save and Close. For instructions on how to add your new custom widget to a Course Homepage, see the section above titled Add, Edit, or Remove Widgets on the Course Homepage.
Edit Custom Widgets
Note
You can only edit custom widgets, not system widgets created by Brightspace.
Step 1
Select Course Admin on the navbar and select Widgets.
Step 2
Select the pencil icon next to the widget you want to edit.
Step 3
Select Content and make your desired changes.
Step 4
Select Save and Close.