Last week we let you know that the release of 2025/26 units on Brightspace will be slightly delayed this year until early August. But that doesn’t mean you have to wait until then to start preparing your unit content. You may already have access to a sandbox site, which is your place to trial and develop Brightspace content on a unit which is only accessible to you. And any content you create in your sandbox unit can be easily copied over to any curricular unit. So if you’d like to get ahead of the game, we’re recommending that this year staff use their sandbox spaces to build their unit materials and then transfer them across to the real units following their August release.
How do I find my sandbox unit?
You’ll find your sandbox unit under the Guidance and Training tab of Brightspace or simply search for ‘sandbox’ in the waffle.
I don’t have a sandbox unit!
No problem – you can easily request one via your Faculty Learning Technologist, see the email links below.
I have multiple sandbox sites – which one do I use?
If you have multiple sandboxes, use the one labelled as ‘Lessons’ – or if you’d like to start afresh, contact your Faculty Learning Technologist to request a new sandbox site for 25/26.
My sandbox has a lot of content already – is it possible to have a new one?
Absolutely – you are able to delete any unwanted content, or we can clean your sandbox down, or you have the option to request a new, blank sandbox via your Faculty Learning Technologist.
Support from FLIE
If you would like support with this process, or any further advice or guidance on unit preparation and Brightspace, pop along to one of our drop-in sessions in July where one of the Learning Technologists will be available over lunchtime to help you:
| Wednesday 2nd July | 12 to 1 | FG19/ BGB111 |
| Wednesday 9th July | 12 to 1 | FG19/ BGB601 |
| Wednesday 16th July | 12 to 1 | FG19/ BGB601 |
| Thursday 24th July | 12 to 1 | FG19/ BGB111 |
| Tuesday 29th July | 12 to 1 | FG19 |
Learning Technologists also run regular drop-ins within faculties and are available to support enquiries anytime via the Faculty mailboxes:
- HSS: hsslearningtechnology@bournemouth.ac.uk
- BUBS: bubslearningtechnology@bournemouth.ac.uk
- FMC: fmclearningtechnology@bournemouth.ac.uk
- FST: scitechlearningtechnology@bournemouth.ac.uk
Further guidance 
For further information on preparing units for the coming academic year, visit our Unit Preparation Guidance page in the Brightspace Staff Resources area.
