Using Replace Strings

Replace Strings allows instructors to personalize course content and communication in Brightspace by incorporating the student’s name, for example, into announcements, content, or intelligent agent templates. Anywhere you find the HTML Editor* you can use replace strings. The use of replace strings can help the instructor build better relationships with students, increase engagement levels, and improve the overall learning experience. Replace strings are particularly useful within the following:

  • Announcements 
  • Content descriptions (modules, topics, etc.) 
  • Intelligent Agent templates
  • Grades when adding bulk feedback 

In your HTML Editor, use the curly bracket {} to enclose the string of text. Here is an example of an announcement using the {FirstName} replace string and the {OrgUnitName} replace string.

You can also use replace strings to display a user's name in the course banner

To display your learner's name your course banner 

  1. From your course home page, locate the course banner. 
  2. Click Banner Settings (...) and select Customize Banner Text.

Figure: The Customize Banner Text option of Banner Settings.

     3. From the Customize Banner Text dialog, select Custom. 

     4. Enter the desired text and add the replace string {FirstName}.

        5. Click Save.

Your home page banner updates and displays the name of your learner: