How to Use the Pulse App

Use the free Brightspace Pulse app to access eLearning@UNG (D2L) content, receive notifications, and create calendar events on mobile devices.

Students use the Pulse app to:

  • See important dates and deadlines for each of their courses
  • Anticipate their busiest days
  • Enter events and deadlines into the app’s calendar
  • Receive announcements, grades, and notifications of new course content
  • View and reply to discussion posts
  • Quickly access D2L to complete tasks
  • Watch video embedded in a module

We don’t recommended students use mobile devices to take tests or compose assignments. A laptop or desktop computer should be used for those situations.

Instructors use the Pulse app to:

  • Make corrections or updates to course content
  • Post announcements
  • Quickly access content from a mobile device
  • Launch D2L from the app without having to sign in

Device Requirements

The app is available for iPad/iPhone and Android mobile devices from the Apple App Store and Google Play. Search for “Brightspace Pulse.”

D2L Notifications page with links to Apple and Google Play store
Links to the app stores can be found in the Notifications section of eLearning@UNG (D2L).

Get the Pulse App – links for Apple or Android


Sign in to Brightspace Pulse

  1. Download the app on a mobile device.
  2. Open the Pulse App
  3. Search for University of North Georgia
  4. Log into eLearning@UNG (D2L)
  5. Use UNG Two–Factor Authentication to complete login

The app keeps the user logged in. It will not automatically time out. Simply open the app and get to work.

A Quick Tour of the App

SETTINGS: Click the eLearning@UNG logo on the top left. Add another account or click the settings link to turn on/off calendar graphics. The Sign Out of All Accounts link is found here.

Note: Logging out of the app or deleting it will remove any calendar events created by the user. You don’t need to sign out.

HOMEPAGE: Click the ellipsis (on an iPad) or “University of North Georgia Homepage” title to open eLearning@UNG (D2L) in the device’s web browser. The browser opens Brightspace by D2L without logging in again. While the Pulse app provides access to content and features similar to using a web browser, some features can only be accessed using a browser.

In the web browser:

  • instructors can create and update course content using their mobile device.
  • students can download additional content formats to their mobile device created by Blackboard Ally.

The app is not designed for taking tests. A desktop or laptop computer must be used for tests.

Pulse app Courses page with Settings (UNG logo) and Homepage (ellipsis) links on top and Upcoming, Content, and Notifications links on bottom of page.
iPad screenshot of the Courses page in Brightspace Pulse.
Pulse app on device screen with number 1 in corner indicating a notification
Pulse app Icon

NOTIFICATION: Users receive notifications when content is posted or update. A link to the content is available in the Notifications section. Follow discussion posts in the Subscriptions portion of Notifications.

Notifications Setup for Instructors

Notifications are sent automatically when an instructor posts announcements, or when content is created or updated. However, dates must be assigned to assignments, quizzes, and calendar events to automatically notify students with Pulse.

For notifications to show up in the Pulse app, follow these simple instructions.

COURSES: Return to the Courses page with pinned courses on top. This is the default page when opening the app.

UPCOMING: A week-by-week calendar created by the user keeps track of Work to Do and Events. A graphic indicates how busy the day will be. A tall blue wave indicates a busy day.


How to Use the Pulse Calendar

  1. Advance to the correct week in the calendar (click left or right arrow).
  2. Click a date.
  3. Click the + sign on the top right corner to create a new Work to Do or Event.
  4. Click the Work To Do, Events, or All links to display the calendar items below the wave graphic.

The blue wave indicates the number of items in the calendar for that date.

Pulse app Calendar shows a week of events entered into the calendar. The more events, the higher the blue wave graphic. Click the event below to see details.
Don’t get swamped with work. A tall blue wave graphic indicates a busy day.

Video Instructions

How Students Use the App

Brightspace Pulse – Navigation (YouTube.com, 3 min.)

Updated Nov. 26, 2021