bCourses

Gradescope LTI 1.3 Now Available in bCourses

August 6, 2025

Gradescope LTI 1.3 is now available in bCourses. LTI 1.3 improves on 1.0 in several key ways, including increased security, and roster syncing that allows for syncing multiple sections from bCourses.

LTI 1.0 and 1.3 will exist in tandem during the Fall 2025 semester, before LTI 1.0 is fully deprecated in Spring 2026. Existing LTI 1.0 course and assignment links will not change after LTI 1.0 is deprecated. These links will still be fully functional in bCourses and courses linked using LTI 1.0 will still be able to sync rosters and post grades to...

bCourses Accessibility

bCourses Accessibility

RTL and Berkeley strive to provide accessible services and web-based tools. We partner with campus accessibility teams to review both internally developed and purchased solutions.

bCourses utilizes a third-party resource maintained by Canvas(link is external) by Instructure. Current information regarding the accessibility of tool can be found on the vendor’s website...

New bCourses Feature: Scheduled Feedback

February 10, 2026

The bCourses Gradebook now supports scheduling grades and feedback releases. Instructors can preconfigure the automatic release of grades and comments (together or separately) for individual assignments.

With this new feature, instructors can plan exactly when students see their grades and comments, and if this happens concurrently or on separate schedules. This feature provides instructors with greater flexibility and control over feedback timing, allowing them to align the release of rubric scores and comments with grading workflows, review sessions, or instructional pacing. This...

Supported Learning Tools

Benefits of Using Supported Learning Tools Icon Accessibility Accessibility

Our tools undergo rigorous testing with experts in all types of accessibility needs to ensure that all students can experience the full benefit of a tool, and those in need of an accommodation can receive one through our relationship with the...

Import the Core Template

Import the Core Template

Canvas Commons is a repository of digital resources that allows users to share and import content into a course site. The RTL Core Template is available in Canvas Commons to UC Berkeley users in the Instructor, TA, or Designer roles.

Follow the steps below to import the template to your new course site.

1. Open Commons

In the Global Navigation, select Commons.

...

Include Beginning of the Course and Mid-Semester Surveys

Include Beginning of the Course and Mid-Semester Surveys

One way to learn more about your students and their experience in your course is to conduct surveys at the beginning and mid-semester points. A survey at the beginning of the course will allow you to get a better understanding of the challenges students may face in a remote instruction course, as well as provides an opportunity to learn more about each student on an individual basis. A mid-semester survey provides an opportunity to find out what’s working and what’s not in your course, and then make adjustments where needed. It...

Organize Materials in Your Course Site Using Modules

Organize Materials in Your Course Site Using Modules

Creating a pattern of weekly tasks allows students to plan ahead and stay organized in your course. As you plan discussions, quizzes, and assignments, make sure they follow a pattern. Indicate on your syllabus or course page any departure from the established patterns. Consistency in course design is a component of the universal instructional design to meet the needs of all learners (Palmer et al., 2003). In addition to the bCourses Pages layout, provide organization through a modular learning pathway. bCourses Modules...

Include Knowledge Checks and Formative Assessments

Include Knowledge Checks and Formative Assessments

When you’re teaching in person, you may gauge student understanding of topics based on students’ facial expressions during lectures, whether or not they raise their hands and ask questions during discussions, and other non-verbal reactions to course material. When teaching remotely, you may not have the opportunity to pause mid-lecture and ask quick questions to ensure that students are understanding the content as you go, so it is imperative that you incorporate knowledge checks and other formative assessments to monitor and...

Engage Students Through Discussion

Engage Students Through Discussion

Learning requires a social component, and much of what is enjoyable about teaching and learning is wrapped up in the exchange of ideas. This is true for in-person and remote instruction. In an in-person class, methods for creating an environment for engaging students can seem more intuitive, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t possible to also create this environment in a remote instruction course, too. So, the first thing you might consider is how to relay and share in that sense of camaraderie in your remote instruction class. Discussion...

Add Lectures to Weekly Landing Pages

Add Lectures to Weekly Landing Pages

When adding lectures, ensure consistency in your layout so that students can follow a pattern; make a statement when you deviate from it. This will increase ‘findability’ and reduce time lost on tasks and frustration levels (Simunich, et al., 2012). bCourses Pages can be used to create a pattern layout for your units of study.

In the Core Template

Week 1 is set up in the page format in the template. You are welcome to edit the layout to create your pattern and designated space for your lectures.

How to Add Your...