Brightspace (LMS)

About the Brightspace API

Campus Cafe provides a connection to D2L's Brightspace learning management system using the D2L Valence API. Clients must contract directly with D2L for use of the Brightspace platform. 

API Functions

  • Upon course section creation in Campus Cafe, establish a corresponding section in Brightspace. The course template must be created directly in Brightspace prior.

  • Upon student enrollment in Campus Cafe, establish a Brightspace account for a student in Brightspace if one does not already exist.

  • Upon student enrollment in Campus Cafe, register the student for the corresponding section in Brightspace.

  • Upon instructor assignment to course in Campus Cafe, establish a Brightspace account for an instructor in Brightspace if one does not already exist.

  • Upon instructor assignment to course in Campus Cafe, associate the instructor with the corresponding course section in Brightspace.

  • Upon a change to the first or last name of an instructor or student in Campus Cafe, change the name in Brightspace.

  • Upon a change to the email address of an instructor or student in Campus Cafe, change the email in Brightspace.

  • Transfer Final Course Grades from Brightspace to Campus Cafe.*

The connection does not import attendance from the Brightspace attendance module into Campus Cafe.

*Requires the Brightspace Data Hub module.

Brightspace Configuration

The following steps must be completed in Brightspace before completing the integration configuration in Campus Cafe.

Establish Semester in Brightspace

This process should be completed any time a new semester is set up in the Campus Cafe.

Brightspace must have semesters configured and coded to match corresponding semesters in Campus Cafe. The API does not automatically complete semester setup in Brightspace. It must be done manually prior to the creation of courses in Campus Cafe for that semester.

NewOrgUnit.png
  1. Log in to Brightspace

  2. Click the gear (settings) icon

  3. Under Organization Related, click Org Unit Editor

  4. Click Create Org Unit

  5. In the Type box select Semester

  6. In the Name box enter a description for the semester such as Fall 2020

  7. In the Code box enter the semester code from Campus Cafe (e.g. 202110)

  8. In the Parent ID enter the Brightspace parent (typically 6606)

  9. Click Create

Establish Course Templates in Brightspace

This process should be completed any time a new course (not section) is set up in the Campus Cafe catalog semester.

Brightspace must be configured with course templates for each course that will be created in Campus Cafe. The API does not automatically create course templates in Brightspace to allow institutions to adhere to their own unique business processes. Templates must be created manually prior to the creation of courses in Campus Cafe.

  1. Log in to Brightspace

  2. Click the gear (settings) icon

  3. Under Course Related click Course Management

  4. Click Create a new Course Offering or Template

    CreateNewCourseOffering.png
  5. Choose the radio button next to Create a new template or Create a new course offering based on an existing template

  6. Click Next

  7. In the Course Template Name enter a description of the course such as Intro to Mathematics

  8. In the Course Template Code enter the Campus Cafe code exactly as it appears in Campus Cafe. For example MTH101. Ensure the code matches exactly and does not contain spaces if there are no spaces in Campus Cafe

  9. Click Next

Course Offerings in Brightspace

This process should be completed for any courses created directly in Brightspace rather than through the connector.

The connector automatically creates course offerings in Brightspace. The Brightspace offerings are created when, in Campus Cafe, an instructor is assigned to the course or a student is registered. 

If a Brightspace course offering is created directly in Brightspace, institutions must enter the Course Offering Code for the course to prevent the connector from creating a duplicate course.

  1. In Brightspace, navigate to the Course and then Course Administration > Course Offering Information

  2. Set the Course Offering Code. The code is constructed from the Campus Cafe Semester Code, Course Number, and Course Section with a tilde between each field (Term~CourseNumber~CourseSection). For example, the course CIS123, Section 1 offered in the term 202010 would be “202010~CIS123~1”.

  3. Click Save

Update Brightspace Users

To match users between the two systems, the connector relies on the Campus Cafe ID number being entered as the Brightspace user's Org Defined ID. 

To set an Org Defined ID in Brightspace

  1. Log in to Brightspace

  2. Click the gear (settings) icon

  3. Under User Related click Users

  4. Locate the desired user (or click the magnifying glass to display all users)

  5. Click the name of the user

  6. In the Org Defined ID box enter the user's Campus Cafe ID number

  7. Click Save

Register App in Brightspace

This is a one-time process to establish the connection.

  1. Log in to BrightspaceRegister an App Screen in Brightspace

  2. Click the gear (settings) icon

  3. Under Organization Related click Manage Extensibility 

  4. Ensure you are on the ID Key Authorization tab

  5. Click Register an App
    Application Name: Campus Cafe
    Trusted URI: https://apitesttool.desire2learnvalence.com/ (ensure the final slash is included)
    Major Version: 1
    Minor Version: 0
    Description: Optionally enter a note about the connection
    Enable this application: Checked

  6. Accept the terms and click Register Application

  7. Copy the Application ID for future use

  8. Next to Application Key click Show and copy the Application Key for future use

  9. Ensure that you are logged into your Brightspace environment

  10. Open the API Test Tool: https://apitesttool.desire2learnvalence.com/

  11. Replace the host field with your Brightspace URL

  12. Replace the Application ID and Application Key fields with the values -from Steps 7-8

  13. Click Authenticate

  14. Copy the User ID for future use

  15. Copy the User Key for future use

  16. Ensure that the application is enabled

Campus Cafe Configuration

Complete the steps below to establish the Campus Cafe configuration settings.

Configure Campus Cafe Class Drop Configuration

The connection to Campus Cafe runs on a schedule where it processes any enrollment changes made since the last run. As such, the system requires that records of drops and replacements (swaps) be preserved. 

  1. Log in to Campus Cafe

  2. Navigate to Admin > System Setup > Custom Control

  3. Local ProgramID WEBDROPLGC

  4. Click the pencil next next to WEBDROPLGC Seq 1 Parm 1

  5. In Parameter Value 1 enter Y

  6. In Parameter Value 2 enter Y

  7. Click Save

  8. Refresh the cache by navigating to Admin > Refresh Data Cache

Configure Course End-Times and Nickname/Preferred Name Settings

The connection allows for the adjustment of course end-times.  Default is set to 0:00 z time; however, this may be adjusted from 0 to 2359 to account based on when you want the courses to end in Brightspace.  Additionally, the integration may now be configured to bring in the Campus Cafe Nickname as the Preferred Name in Brightspace/D2L.  If set to Y and no Nickname exists in Campus Cafe, the First Name will be sent as the Preferred Name.

Configuring Course End-Times

  1. Log in to Campus Cafe

  2. Navigate to Admin > System Setup > Custom Control

  3. Locate ProgramID MOODLE

  4. Click the pencil icon next to Moodle Seq 2 Parm 9

  5. Update the course end-times (HHMM) to a value from 0 to 2359 (Default is 0)

Configuring Nickname Preferences

  1. Log in to Campus Cafe

  2. Navigate to Admin > System Setup > Custom Control

  3. Locate ProgramID MOODLE

  4. Click the pencil icon next to Moodle Seq 2 Parm 10

  5. Enter Y to send Nickname as Preferred Name

  6. Enter N to ignore Nickname field in Campus Cafe and only send First Name as preferred name (Default is N)

Configure Campus Cafe Web App Configuration

This is a one-time process to establish the connection. Adjustments must only be made if the desired functionality needs to be adjusted due to a business process change.

  1. Log in to Campus Cafe

  2. Navigate to Admin > System Setup > Web App

  3. Use the search box to filter on "Brightspace" and configure the parameters listed

Parameter

Value

Parameter

Value

BRIGHTSPACE_ALL_GRADES_DATA_SET_ID

Leave blank

BRIGHTSPACE_API_NAME

CC_D2L

BRIGHTSPACE_API_VERSION

1.25

BRIGHTSPACE_APPLICATION_ID

The application ID created during register an app

BRIGHTSPACE_APPLICATION_KEY

The key created during register an app

BRIGHTSPACE_ASSIGNMENT_SUBMISSION_DETAILS_PULGIN

Leave blank

BRIGHTSPACE_ASSIGNMENT_SUBMISSIONS_PULGIN

Leave blank

BRIGHTSPACE_ASSIGNMENT_SUMMARY_PULGIN

Leave blank

BRIGHTSPACE_AUTO_QUEUE_ITEMS

If set to Y, the system will auto-queue course sections created prior to the number of days specified in BRIGHTSPACE_OFFERING_DAYS_ACTIVE_BEF_BEG. The course sections will then be created in Brightspace the number of days prior to the course start date specified in BRIGHTSPACE_OFFERING_DAYS_ACTIVE_BEF_BEGIN.

BRIGHTSPACE_BASE_URL

The login URL for Brightspace similar to https://<your-school-code>.brightspace.com

BRIGHTSPACE_COPY_CONTENT

Optional: Configure the connector so that when a Brightspace class is created, it will copy the course content from a master course. The master course in Brightspace must have a course code prefix starting with the value entered here. For example, the master courses in Brightspace start with Master_, enter "Master_" for this value.

BRIGHTSPACE_CREATE_UPDATE_USER

A "Y" indicates that the connection will create a Brighspace user account for a student or faculty if one is not found in Brightspace already. An "N" will direct the connection not to create a Brightspace account. Without an account, the individual will not be able to be associated with a class in Brightspace.

BRIGHTSPACE_CUTOVER_SEMESTER

The Campus Cafe semester code that represents the first semester for which to transfer information from Campus Cafe to Brightspace will occur. For example, 202110

BRIGHTSPACE_DAYS_ACTIVE_AFT_END

Number of days after course end date that enrollments remain active. Enter 0 as default.

BRIGHTSPACE_DAYS_ACTIVE_BEF_BEGIN

Number of days before course begin date that enrollments become active. Enter 0 as default.

BRIGHTSPACE_DAYS_ADJUST_OFFRG_BEGIN_DATE

Days to adjust offering begin date from CC course date. Enter 0 as default.

BRIGHTSPACE_DAYS_ADJUST_OFFRG_END_DATE

Days to adjust offering end date from CC course date. Enter 0 as default.

BRIGHTSPACE_DISCUSSION_POSTS_PULGIN

Leave blank

BRIGHTSPACE_EMAIL

An alert will be sent to this email if an error occurs.

BRIGHTSPACE_GRADE_OBJECTS_PULGIN

Leave blank

BRIGHTSPACE_IMPORT_APPLICATION_ID

Same as BRIGHTSPACE_APPLICATION_ID

BRIGHTSPACE_IMPORT_APPLICATION_KEY

Same as BRIGHTSPACE_APPLICATION_KEY

BRIGHTSPACE_IMPORT_BASE_URL

Same as BRIGHTSPACE_BASE_URL

BRIGHTSPACE_IMPORT_HOURS_TO_OVERWRITE_FINAL_GRADE

Enter 0 to prevent final grade changes. If set to zero (0), once a final course grade is imported from Brightspace, it will not be overridden by future imports from Brightspace (e.g. if an instructor assigns a final course grade of a B and then later changes it to an A, Campus Cafe will record the B.) Otherwise, enter the number of hours after the last day of the course that a new final grade will be accepted to replace an existing final grade.

BRIGHTSPACE_IMPORT_SEMESTER_MINIMUM

The Campus Cafe semester code that represents the first semester for which to transfer information from Campus Cafe to Brightspace will occur. For example, 202110

BRIGHTSPACE_IMPORT_USER_ID

The user id generated during the Register App phase

BRIGHTSPACE_IMPORT_USER_KEY

The user key generated during the Register App phase

BRIGHTSPACE_INSTRUCTOR_ADD_ONLY

Only add instructors, allows manually changing D2L inst role and adding inst not in CC. Enter N by default.

BRIGHTSPACE_INSTRUCTOR_ROLE

Brightspace role associated with instructors. Enter Instructor as default. Case sensitive

BRIGHTSPACE_LDA_GRADE_ITEM_NAME_PREFIX

Leave blank

BRIGHTSPACE_MAX_RETRY_ATTEMPTS

Number of times to try processing an entry. Enter 2 as default.

BRIGHTSPACE_OFFERING_DAYS_ACTIVE_BEF_BEGIN

Enter a number representing days. Course sections created in Campus Cafe, will be created in Brightspace this number of days or fewer prior to the course section start date.

BRIGHTSPACE_PARENT_ORG_D2LID

Enter the Brightspace numerical code of the institution's parent organization. Typically, this code is 6066.

BRIGHTSPACE_QUIZ_ATTEMPTS_PULGIN

The ID number of the Brightspace Data Hub Assignment Quiz Attempts Data Set

(See instructions: Retrieving Brightspace PluginId and DataSetId values)

BRIGHTSPACE_QUIZ_INCLUDE_COMPLETED_ONLY

Enter Y to import only completed quizzes as assignments in Campus Cafe. Enter a N to exclude them.

BRIGHTSPACE_REMOVE_FROM_QUEUE_DAYS

Number of days after processing entry should remain on queue. Enter 30 as default.

BRIGHTSPACE_RETRY_MINUTES

Number minutes to wait before reprocessing an entry. Enter 30 as default.

BRIGHTSPACE_SEND_USER_CREATION_EMAIL

Enter Y for Brightspace to send an email to a user created in Brightspace by the connector. The email contains the user's Brightspace account information.

BRIGHTSPACE_STUDENT_ROLE

Brightspace role associated with students. Enter Learner as default. Case sensitive. If using 4 student roles separate names by || (ex. a||b||c||d). The role meanings are defined by position (position meanings: a-default, b-hold, c-before course begin date, d-after course end date).

BRIGHTSPACE_TIMEZONE

Enter the time zone. US/Eastern; US/Central; US/Mountain or US/Pacific Case sensitive

BRIGHTSPACE_UPDATE_USER_EMAIL

A "Y" indicates that if an individual's email changes in Campus Cafe, the connection should also update the individual's email in Brightspace. An "N" indicates that updates to an individual's email address in Campus Cafe will not update in Brightspace.

BRIGHTSPACE_UPDATE_USERNAME

A "Y" indicates that the connection will replace the individual's Brightspace username with his or her Campus Cafe username if different. An "N" indicates that Campus Cafe will not attempt to change the individual's Brightspace username to match his or her Campus Cafe username. If your institution already has Brightspace in place and wishes to preserve existing Brightspace usernames, set this to "N."

BRIGHTSPACE_USER_ID

The user id generated during the Register App phase

BRIGHTSPACE_USER_KEY

The user key generated during the Register App phase

  1. Refresh the cache by navigating to Admin > System Tasks > Refresh Data Cache

Authenticate the Connection (API Test Tool)

This is a one-time process to establish the connection. 

  1. Log in to Brightspace

  2. Navigate to https://apitesttool.desire2learnvalence.com
    Host: The log in URL for Brightspace similar to <your-school-code>.brightspace.com/ (do not include https://)
    Port: 443
    HTTPS: Checked
    App ID: The Application ID created earlier
    App Key: The Application Key created earlier

  3. Click Authenticate

  4. A confirmation page asking you to confirm the connection should appear

  5. Click Continue

  6. A new page will appear

  7. Copy the User ID for future use

  8. Copy the User Key for future use

Enter Brightspace User and Key in Campus Cafe

This is a one-time process to establish the connection. 

  1. Log in to Campus Cafe

  2. Navigate to Admin > Web App Config

  3. Locate the Parameter BRIGHTSPACE_USER_ID and enter the User ID created through the Brightspace API Test Tool

  4. Locate the Parameter BRIGHTSPACE_USER_KEY and enter the User Key created through the Brightspace API Test Tool

  5. Refresh the cache by navigating to Admin > Refresh Data Cache > reload data

Configure Campus Cafe LMS Option

This is a one-time process to establish the connection.

  1. Log in to Campus Cafe

  2. Navigate to Admin > System Setup > Custom Control

  3. Locate ProgramId Moodle, Sequence 1, Parameter 1- (Brightspace uses the same foundational settings in Campus Cafe as Moodle)

  4. In the Parameter Value 10 box enter a Y

  5. Click Save

  6. Refresh the cache by navigating to Admin > Refresh Data Cache

Contact Campus Cafe to Activate Connection

Contact Campus Cafe support to set up the automatic processing job. This job will process items on the queue every 10 minutes.

Manually Sync Enrollment Data

By default, data transfer between Campus Cafe and Brightspace occurs about every ten minutes. However, the queue may be manually processed at any time by following the steps below.

  1. Log in to Campus Cafe

  2. Navigate to Registrar > LMS Management

  3. The number next to Unprocessed Queue Entries Count indicates the number of items waiting to sync

  4. Select “Click Here to Manually Run Brightspace queue processor for 100 entries”

  5. If necessary, select “Click Here to Manually Run Brightspace queue processor for 100 entries” again to process the next 100 entries and repeat until nothing remains in queue

Queue History Log

The queue history log shows the results of synchronization attempts between Campus Cafe and the LMS. For example, if a student's enrollment is not initiated in the LMS, the history log will show why.

Access the log

  1. Log in to Campus Cafe

  2. Navigate to Registrar > LMS Management

  3. Click Queue History Log

Final Course Grades Import

This function requires the Brightspace Data Hub module sold separately by D2L.

Custom Control Moodle 2-6 controls whether the sync will overwrite existing grades in Campus Cafe (not including I or W grades). Set this to Y to permit overwriting of existing grades or N to prevent existing grades in Campus Cafe from being replaced by the grade import.

Final grade values from Brightspace must match values in the Campus Cafe Quality Points table in order to import.  Additionally, final grades in Brightspace must be released.

  1. Navigate to Registrar > LMS Management

  2. Click on Final Grade Synchronization at the bottom of the page (BRIGHTSPACE_IMPORT options must be configured in Web App Config for this option to appear)

  3. Select the Semester to Synchronize from the drop-down

  4. Optional: Enter the Course Number to import grades for a specific course

  5. Optional: Check the Report Only box to run the grade report in non-update mode.  This will generate the grades that will be imported in the Process Output Messages box, but will not update grades on the students' records.  

  1. Click Synchronize to begin the process

  2. Click Refresh Job Output to view updates on the progress and which grades have been processed in the Process Output Messages box.

Exclude Course and Enrollments from the Integration

A specific course may be excluded from the integration. The course will not be created in Brightspace, and student enrollments will not be sent to Brightspace.

  1. In Campus Cafe navigate to the course section (Registrar > Course Finder > Magnifying glass next to course)

  2. Click the Codes tab

  3. Check the Exclude from LMS Integration box

  4. Click Save

Multiple Campus Cafe Course Sections Associated with Single Brightspace Offering

Your institution may combine students from multiple discrete Campus Cafe class sections, each with their own roster, meeting times, etc., into one Brightspace offering. This is often done so the instructor does not need to independently maintain the same academic content across multiple Brightspace offerings. 

Such classes require special handling.

  1. In Brightspace, navigate to the Course and then Course Administration > Course Offering Information

  2. Set the Course Offering code to something not used by any other Brightspace offering

  3. In Campus Cafe navigate to the course section (Registrar > Course Finder > Magnifying glass next to course)

  4. Click the Codes tab

  5. In the LMS Course Code Override box enter the SIS ID number you entered in Brightspace

  6. Repeat steps 3-5 for each Campus Cafe section

  7. Click Save