In the dynamic realm of education technology, the inFusion 2023 conference brought together D2L developers, technical staff, and product managers to explore innovations and collaborations within Brightspace. One noteworthy highlight was the client panel, featuring representatives such as Lara Wolters, Senior Educational Technology Consultant from Purdue University Northwest and Ben Holmes, Lead Educational Technology Consultant from Purdue University West Lafayette. The panel shared insights into the distinctive challenges and successes experienced within the Purdue System when utilizing D2L's Brightspace. With a diverse audience of 200 attendees, there was an illuminating discussion on how Brightspace has elevated Purdue and others, and how future enhancements could further strengthen this partnership.

Lara Wolters showcased the unique identity of Purdue University Northwest within the larger Purdue ecosystem by shedding light on key differentiators, emphasizing its status as a Hispanic-serving institution and catering to a significant population of first-generation students. The small community atmosphere fosters a tight-knit environment. However, the narrative didn't dwell solely on differences; instead, it seamlessly transitioned to highlight the strengths that emerge when all Purdue campuses collaborate.

The essence of the Purdue and D2L partnership lies in the fusion of perspectives and the collaborative culture that has flourished over time. The client panel showcased how these campuses have come together, combining resources to create a dynamic and enriched educational experience. This collaborative spirit was evident in the presentation's core message: Brightspace, as an integral part of Purdue's educational framework, plays a pivotal role in elevating the institution and, consequently, the students.

Acknowledging the strengths and limitations of the Brightspace platform, Lara Wolters offered a balanced perspective. Tools such as Course Copy, Quick Eval, and Intelligent Agents were commended for their efficiency and time-saving capabilities. However, the Grade Book emerged as an area demanding improvement. Instructors face challenges in setting up and navigating the Grade Book, impacting their ability to provide timely and effective feedback to students.

The heart of the presentation lay in constructive feedback aimed at enhancing the user experience. Suggestions included incorporating features like direct emailing from the Grade Book and integrating a "What If" calculator to empower students in understanding their academic progress. Lara Wolters’ overarching message was clear: as universities strive to accomplish more with limited resources, user-friendly tools are imperative in allowing instructors to dedicate their time to what matters most – elevating students for the future.

A critical aspect that Wolters addressed was the intricacies of system-level configuration within Brightspace. As multiple campuses share a single instance, configuring variables at the system level is a complex and time-consuming endeavor. The need for extensive discussions and consensus-building across campuses highlights the necessity for more flexibility. The call to action for D2L was to create configuration variables at the organizational unit level, allowing campuses, departments, and courses to tailor settings to their specific needs.

The Purdue University Northwest presentation at inFusion 2023 encapsulated a narrative of collaboration, innovation, and the pursuit of excellence in education. By sharing the challenges faced and offering practical suggestions for improvement, the client panel not only elevated the discourse surrounding Brightspace but also contributed to the ongoing dialogue among D2L developers and product managers. As D2L continues to evolve, the insights gleaned from this client panel serve as a roadmap for a more seamless, efficient, and user-friendly educational experience.