Body
Overview
Brightspace uses roles to determine what each person can see and do in a course. Roles are collections of permissions that define access to course tools, content, grading, and user management features. [1](https://community.d2l.com/brightspace/kb/articles/4451-about-roles-and-permissions)
While many roles exist for system administration and support, most faculty will only interact with a small set that supports teaching, learning, and course administration.
This guide highlights the roles most relevant to instructors and how they are typically used in a Brightspace course.
Requirements
No special requirements. If faculty are assigned as an Instructor to a course by the Office of the Registrar, then Faculty are automatically assigned the Instructor role in their Brightspace courses.
Instructions
Core Roles in a Brightspace Course
Instructor
Who this is for: Faculty teaching a course
What they can do:
- Create and manage course content
- Build assignments, quizzes, and discussions
- Grade student work and provide feedback
- Manage student access and course settings
What to know:
- This is the primary teaching role in Brightspace
- Instructors have full control over course materials, grading, and enrollment management [2](https://carleton.ca/brightspace/instructors/roles-and-permissions-in-brightspace/)
- You may appear as an Instructor in multiple courses or contexts
Learner (Student)
Who this is for: Students enrolled in your course
What they can do:
- Access course materials
- Submit assignments, quizzes, and discussion posts
- Participate in course activities
- View grades and instructor feedback
What to know:
- The Learner role provides access to participate in coursework but does not allow editing or management of course content [3](https://teachanywhere.uvic.ca/learning-tech/brightspace/what-are-roles/)
Support Roles
Teaching Assistant
Who this is for: Graduate/Teaching Assistants or support staff
What they can do:
- Manage course content
- Access the Gradebook
- Grade assignments, quizzes, and discussions
Teaching Assistants often have permissions similar to instructors, depending on configuration, but may have some limitations on enrollment or course settings.
Teaching Assistant – Grader
Who this is for: Teaching Assistants focused on grading
What they can do:
- Access the Gradebook
- Grade assignments, quizzes, and discussions
What they cannot do:
Teaching Assistant – No Edit (View)
Who this is for: Support staff who need read-only access
What they can do:
What they cannot do:
- Access the Gradebook
- Grade assignments, quizzes, or discussions
- Manage course content
Teaching Assistant – Edit
Who this is for: Support staff who assist with course building
What they can do:
What they cannot do:
- Access the Gradebook
- Grade assignments, quizzes, or discussions
Tutor
Who this is for: Academic support staff or peer tutors
What they can do:
- View course materials to assist students
What they cannot do:
- Grade assignments, quizzes, or discussions
- Submit coursework or participate as a student
- Manage course content
Tutor roles typically provide read-only access to course materials and limited communication capabilities.
Incomplete Learner (Student)
Who this is for: Students with an official “Incomplete” grade who need additional time to complete coursework
What they can do:
- Continue participating in the course with the same access as the Learner role
- Access the course after standard availability dates
This role extends course access beyond normal availability so students can complete remaining work after the course closes.