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Brightspace support available for students
Jan 10th, 2023
Brightspace logo

The University of Windsor has transitioned to the D2L Brightspace Learning Management System (LMS) this winter semester. To assist students with basic Brightspace navigation, a short 143-second Tech Talk video is available. The video describes how to log in and where to find courses.

Student Support:

  • Find answers to the most common Brightspace Student FAQs, including documents and videos to help you navigate the Brightspace platform at uwindsor.ca/brightspace/studentfaqs or in Ask.UWindsor.
  • Help through UWindsor’s IT Service Desk available via
  • Chat using the chat icon in the bottom right corner of uwindsor.ca/its or uwindsor.ca/itshelp,
  • calling 519-253-3000, ext. 4440, or
  • opening a ticket.
  • Supplemental D2L Brightspace after-hours virtual support for Brightspace-specific issues 24/7/365 whenever UWindsor support services are closed. Users can find the Get Help button in the lower right corner of any Brightspace course site to access support through live chat or email.

Tech Talk is a presentation of IT Services. More Tech Talks are available at uwindsor.ca/its/tech-talk.

Don’t fa-la-la for phishing attacks this holiday season, warns IT Services
Dec 19th, 2022
keep safe and secure

While most people are in the generous holiday spirit, there are still cyber-scrooges looking to steal your personal information and money.

One of the most popular types of cyber fraud is phishing. These types of attacks come in many forms from unsolicited calls to text messages, to emails. Phishing attempts are malicious and encourage unassuming people to act quickly while pretending to be from legitimate organizations.

How to spot holiday hackers trying to phish for your information:

  • The sender has a public email address, like gmail.com or outlook.com
  • Requesting purchase of gift cards
  • Threat of discontinued service or closing your account
  • Sense of urgency
  • Unsolicited email
  • Attachments
  • Poor spelling, grammar, or look-alike branding
  • Requesting credit card information

What should you do if you think you have received a phishing message?

  1. Do not respond.
  2. Forward the email to spam@uwindsor.ca, if it was sent to your UWindsor account.
  3. Delete the message.

To keep your holiday spirits bright and avoid getting a lump of coal in your inbox, learn more about spotting phishing attempts on the IT Services website.

While many University offices will be closed for the holiday break, the IT Services’ Elf-service client portal will be available to help. In addition to the portal, the IT Service Desk will be open for virtual assistance:

  • Friday, Dec. 23, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  • Tuesday to Friday, Dec. 27 to 30, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Firewall hardware upgrade to disrupt University systems on Jan. 3
Dec 14th, 2022
Firewall hardware upgrade

The University’s firewall hardware will be upgraded on Tuesday, Jan. 3, from 5 to 8:30 a.m. This will cause University systems, including external interdependent systems and internet access, to be unavailable.

Examples of affected systems include:

  • All UWinsite Applications (Oracle)
  • Brightspace Learning Management System
  • Single sign-on for cloud-hosted applications (systems where you use your UWin ID credentials)
  • VPN
  • Food Services
  • UWinCard access
  • Wired and wireless network

The maintenance period should not extend beyond 8:30 a.m. However, in the event that unexpected issues arise, extended outages may occur for some systems. Communication will be shared with the affected system users if necessary, and updates will be posted on the Information Technology Services webpage for System Status and Notification.

The firewall hardware upgrade is necessary for IT Services to continue maintaining UWindsor’s technology infrastructure and data security.
Session final Drupal training for website editors before year end
Nov 29th, 2022
Drupal and University of Windsor logoes

Join a virtual training session organized for new and existing content editors who maintain official UWindsor websites on Thursday, Dec. 1.

The training will cover:

  • Page creation fundamentals
  • Uploading graphics
  • Organizing menus effectively
  • Creating accessible content
  • and more

Faculty and staff, including student employees, can sign up to attend the online Drupal 7 + Web Accessibility Basic Training on Thursday, Dec. 1, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.

Winter 2023 course shells now available
Nov 18th, 2022
Brightspace logo

Instructors can now find Winter 2023 course shells in the Brightspace Learning Management System (LMS).

Information Technology Services has also completed the migration of the last two years of courses from Blackboard to Brightspace. To have an older course migrated to the new environment, instructors should submit a service ticket. Students’ work and grades have been archived but will not be carried over into Brightspace.

Microsoft Teams will be integrated as the new virtual classrooms. Teams sites will be generated for all courses before the start of the Winter semester.

Information about the Brightspace implementation project is available at uwindsor.ca/brightspace. The site also provides resources for instructors and students, FAQs, instructor training session registration, and links to self-guided training offered through the Brightspace community.