Introduction:
This guide will help you understand how to use Top Hat, an interactive learning platform, within your Brightspace courses. Top Hat helps make learning more engaging with interactive lecture slides, polls, quizzes, discussions, and assignments.
Accessing Top Hat from Brightspace
It's crucial to always access Top Hat through your Brightspace course to ensure your account is correctly linked and your grades sync properly.
- Log in to Brightspace: Use your student credentials to access your Brightspace account.
- Navigate to Your Course: Select the course that is using Top Hat.
- Find the Top Hat Link: Your instructor will typically place a link to Top Hat in the "Content" section, a specific module, or on the course homepage. The link might be named "Top Hat," "Top Hat Course," or something similar.
- Click the Link: Clicking this link will launch Top Hat.
Setting Up Your Top Hat Account
The first time you click the Top Hat link from Brightspace, you'll be guided through setting up or connecting your Top Hat account:
- New to Top Hat?
- You will be prompted to create a Top Hat account. Follow the on-screen instructions.
- You may need a specific "Join Code" for your course (your instructor will provide this if necessary, though often it's automatic through the Brightspace link).
- You might also need to purchase a Top Hat subscription or enter an access code if required for your course. Follow the prompts for payment or code redemption.
- Already have a Top Hat Account?
- If you've used Top Hat before, you'll have the option to log in to your existing account.
- Ensure you use the same email address associated with your previous Top Hat access.
- Launching Top Hat from Brightspace should automatically enroll you in the correct course.
Important: Always launch Top Hat from your Brightspace course page, especially the first time, to ensure your Top Hat account is correctly associated with your Brightspace identity for grade synchronization.
Participating in Your Top Hat Course
Once your account is set up and you've accessed your Top Hat course, you'll be able to:
- View Lecture Slides: Instructors often present their lectures using Top Hat. You can follow along in real-time and review slides later if your instructor makes them available.
- Answer Polls and Questions: Participate in in-class polls, multiple-choice questions, word answers, click-on-target questions, and more. This is a key way to engage with the lecture content.
- Join Discussions: Contribute to interactive discussions facilitated by your instructor.
- Take Quizzes: Complete quizzes administered through Top Hat. Pay attention to time limits and submission deadlines.
- Track Attendance: If your instructor uses Top Hat for attendance, you may need to enter an attendance code displayed during class or be marked present automatically when logged in.
- Complete Assignments: Access and submit homework assignments or "Pages" (Top Hat's interactive textbook content) directly within the platform.
Troubleshooting and Support
- Common Issues:
- Login Problems: Ensure you are launching Top Hat from Brightspace. If you created your Top Hat account outside of the Brightspace link, you might need to re-link it by going through Brightspace.
- Content Not Loading: Check your internet connection. Try clearing your browser's cache and cookies, or try a different browser.
- Subscription/Access Code Issues: Double-check you've entered any codes correctly. If you have payment issues, you'll need to contact Top Hat Support directly.
- Where to Get Help:
- Top Hat Support: Top Hat has an extensive online support center for students. You can search their knowledge base for answers to common questions:
- Your Instructor: For course-specific questions (e.g., assignment content, due dates, grade inquiries), your instructor is your first point of contact.
- COLTT Help Desk: For general Brightspace login issues or problems with your institutional account.
Additional Resources: