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Content for Instructors

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  faq icon Content FAQ

 

Overview

Creating Content

 

Managing Content

Managing Files

 

 

About the Content Tool

Using the Content tool allows you to post and organize relevant learning materials for your students. Content material can range from basic text to multimedia files. The Content tool is also a great way to go paperless or nearly paperless. Your content material can include weekly readings or assignments posted as PDF's.

To access the Content tool from your Course Home page, click the Content link on the course navigation bar located near the top of the screen. The Manage Content screen will open and has five icons that run along the top of the screen: Manage Content, New Module, New Topic, Add Multiple Topics, and Re-Order.

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Creating Modules

Creating a module is the first step in creating course content. A module must be created before you can successfully add topics. Modules can also be created within other modules. To create a module:

  1. Click New Module located near the top of the screen. You can also click an Add Module icon located to the right of the course name or another module's name. Clicking either of these will bring you to the Properties screen.

    Module Properties Screen

  2. Type the module title in the Title field. You may also choose to give your module a Short Title.
  3. Check the box to the right of Enumeration if you wish to hide any enumeration that has been set up in content Settings for this module only.
  4. Click Save to save your changes.

Click the Restrictions tab for more Module options.

Module Restrictions Screen

  • Availability - Any availability restrictions will be inherited by any topics or sub-modules belonging to this module.
  1. If you would like to hide a module from student view, check the box to the left of Hide this module.
  2. If you would like to set a start date for your module, check the box to the left of Has Start Date. Then use the Date and Time drop down menus to select your start date.
  3. If you would like to set an end date for your module, check the box to the left of Has End Date. Then use the Date and Time drop down menus to select your end date.
  4. Click Save to save your changes

Please Note: Hidden modules will not become visible at the start date, if one has been selected. They will remain hidden as long as Hide this module is selected.

  • Additional Release Conditions - Any release conditions will be inherited by any topics or sub-modules belonging to this module.
  1. Click Create and Attach to add release conditions to your module. For more information regarding Conditional Release, click here.
  2. Click Save to save your changes.

Click the Comments tab for more Module options.

Add Comments Screen

Personal Comments: visible only to you, the person who entered them
Shared Designer Comments: visible to all instructors and TAs.

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Creating Topics

Before you begin creating topics, you need to keep in mind that all topics must belong to a module. If you have not yet created at least one module, please click here. It is also important to note that topics take on the properties of their parent modules. This includes any date/time restrictions or release conditions you have assigned.

There are several different options when creating topics:

  1. Create New File - Create new course content using D2L's HTML editor
  2. Course File - Create a topic using a file that has already been uploaded to D2L
  3. Upload New File - Create a topic using a file from your computer
  4. QuickLink - Link to other course tools or to outside websites

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Topics - Create New File

To create a Content topic using D2L's HTML Editor:

  1. Click New Topic located near the top of the screen. You can also click an Add Topic icon located to the right of the module you would like to add it to. Clicking either of these will bring you to the New Topic screen.

  2. Select Create New File from the list. This will bring you to the Properties screen.
  3. By default, the Parent Module displayed is the module you chose to add a topic to. If you wish the topic to appear under a different module, or if you did not choose to add the topic to a specific module, use the drop down menu to select the desired module.
  4. Type the topic title in the Title field. You may also choose to give your topic a Short Title.
  5. Check the box to the right of Enumeration if you wish to hide any enumeration that has been set up in content Settings for this topic only.
  6. The File Name field will be filled in automatically with the Title of your topic (Title.html). If you wish to do this, you may do so by entering the desired file name in the File Name field.
  7. Use the HTML Editor to create your text.
  8. Click Save to save your newly created file.

Click the Restrictions tab for more Topic options.

  • Availability
  1. If you would like to hide a topic from student view, check the box to the left of Hide this topic.
  2. If you would like to set a start date for your topic, check the box to the left of Has Start Date. Then use the Date and Time drop down menus to select your start date.
  3. If you would like to set an end date for your topic, check the box to the left of Has End Date. Then use the Date and Time drop down menus to select your end date.
  4. Click Save to save your changes

Please Note: Hidden topics will not become visible at the start date, if one has been selected. They will remain hidden as long as Hide this topic is selected.

  • Additional Release Conditions
  1. Click Create and Attach to add release conditions to your topic. For more information regarding Conditional Release, click here.
  2. Click Save to save your changes.

Click the Discussions tab for more Topic options.

If you will be using the Discussion tool in your course and you have already created forums and topics in Discussions, you may want to link your topics to corresponding Discussion topics. It is possible to link your Content topic to up to two Discussion topics:

  • Topic Discussion is meant to be a place where students can discuss the material.
  • Topic Help Discussion is meant to be a place where students can ask and receive answers to any questions they may have regarding the material.
  1. Use the Topic Discussion or Topic Help Discussion drop down menus to select the desired Discussion topics.
  2. Click Save to save your changes.

Click the Comments tab for more Topic options.

  • Personal Comments: visible only to you, the person who entered them.
  • Shared Designer Comments: visible to all instructors and TAs.

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Topics - Course File

To create a Content topic using a file that you have already uploaded into D2L:

  1. Click New Topic located near the top of the screen. You can also click an Add Topic icon located to the right of the module you would like to add it to. Clicking either of these will bring you to the New Topic screen.

  2. Select Course File from the list. This will bring you to the Properties screen.
  3. By default, the Parent Module displayed is the module you chose to add a topic to. If you wish the topic to appear under a different module, or if you did not choose to add the topic to a specific module, use the drop down menu to select the desired module.
  4. Type the topic title in the Title field. You may also choose to give your topic a Short Title.
  5. Check the box to the right of Enumeration if you wish to hide any enumeration that has been set up in content Settings for this topic only.
  6. Click Browse to search your D2L files for the desired file.
  7. Select the file by clicking the radio button to the left of the file name.
  8. Click Select File.
  9. Click Save to save your newly created topic.

Click the Restrictions tab for more Topic options.

  • Availability
  1. If you would like to hide a topic from student view, check the box to the left of Hide this topic.
  2. If you would like to set a start date for your topic, check the box to the left of Has Start Date. Then use the Date and Time drop down menus to select your start date.
  3. If you would like to set an end date for your topic, check the box to the left of Has End Date. Then use the Date and Time drop down menus to select your end date.
  4. Click Save to save your changes

Please Note: Hidden topics will not become visible at the start date, if one has been selected. They will remain hidden as long as Hide this topic is selected.

  • Additional Release Conditions
  1. Click Create and Attach to add release conditions to your topic. For more information regarding Conditional Release, click here.
  2. Click Save to save your changes.

Click the Discussions tab for more Topic options.

If you will be using the Discussion tool in your course and you have already created forums and topics in Discussions, you may want to link your topics to corresponding Discussion topics. It is possible to link your Content topic to up to two Discussion topics:

  • Topic Discussion is meant to be a place where students can discuss the material.
  • Topic Help Discussion is meant to be a place where students can ask and receive answers to any questions they may have regarding the material.
  1. Use the Topic Discussion or Topic Help Discussion drop down menus to select the desired Discussion topics.
  2. Click Save to save your changes.

Click the Comments tab for more Topic options.

  • Personal Comments: visible only to you, the person who entered them.
  • Shared Designer Comments: visible to all instructors and TAs.

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Topics - Upload New File

To create a Content topic using a file from your computer:

  1. Click New Topic located near the top of the screen. You can also click an Add Topic icon located to the right of the module you would like to add it to. Clicking either of these will bring you to the New Topic screen.

  2. Select Upload New File from the list. This will bring you to the Properties screen.
  3. By default, the Parent Module displayed is the module you chose to add a topic to. If you wish the topic to appear under a different module, or if you did not choose to add the topic to a specific module, use the drop down menu to select the desired module.
  4. Type the topic title in the Title field. You may also choose to give your topic a Short Title.
  5. Check the box to the right of Enumeration if you wish to hide any enumeration that has been set up in content Settings for this topic only.
  6. Click the Browse button to the right of the File to Upload field to search your computer for the desired file.
  7. Click Save to save your newly created topic.

Click the Restrictions tab for more Topic options.

  • Availability
  1. If you would like to hide a topic from student view, check the box to the left of Hide this topic.
  2. If you would like to set a start date for your topic, check the box to the left of Has Start Date. Then use the Date and Time drop down menus to select your start date.
  3. If you would like to set an end date for your topic, check the box to the left of Has End Date. Then use the Date and Time drop down menus to select your end date.
  4. Click Save to save your changes

Please Note: Hidden topics will not become visible at the start date, if one has been selected. They will remain hidden as long as Hide this topic is selected.

  • Additional Release Conditions
  1. Click Create and Attach to add release conditions to your topic. For more information regarding Conditional Release, click here.
  2. Click Save to save your changes.

Click the Discussions tab for more Topic options.

If you will be using the Discussion tool in your course and you have already created forums and topics in Discussions, you may want to link your topics to corresponding Discussion topics. It is possible to link your Content topic to up to two Discussion topics:

  • Topic Discussion is meant to be a place where students can discuss the material.
  • Topic Help Discussion is meant to be a place where students can ask and receive answers to any questions they may have regarding the material.
  1. Use the Topic Discussion or Topic Help Discussion drop down menus to select the desired Discussion topics.
  2. Click Save to save your changes.

Click the Comments tab for more Topic options.

  • Personal Comments: visible only to you, the person who entered them.
  • Shared Designer Comments: visible to all instructors and TAs.

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Topics - QuickLink

To create a Content topic that is a link to another course tool or an outside website:

  1. Click New Topic located near the top of the screen. You can also click an Add Topic icon located to the right of the module you would like to add it to. Clicking either of these will bring you to the New Topic screen.

  2. Select QuickLink from the list. This will bring you to the Properties screen.
  3. By default, the Parent Module displayed is the module you chose to add a topic to. If you wish the topic to appear under a different module, or if you did not choose to add the topic to a specific module, use the drop down menu to select the desired module.
  4. Type the topic title in the Title field. You may also choose to give your topic a Short Title.
  5. Check the box to the right of Enumeration if you wish to hide any enumeration that has been set up in content Settings for this topic only.
  6. Click the QuickLink icon to the right of the URL field.
  7. Use the Category drop down menu to select the type of link it is.
  8. Under Link Details, enter the outside website's URL or select the course material you would like to create a link to.
  9. Click Insert.
  10. Click Save to save your newly created topic.

Click the Restrictions tab for more Topic options.

  • Availability
  1. If you would like to hide a topic from student view, check the box to the left of Hide this topic.
  2. If you would like to set a start date for your topic, check the box to the left of Has Start Date. Then use the Date and Time drop down menus to select your start date.
  3. If you would like to set an end date for your topic, check the box to the left of Has End Date. Then use the Date and Time drop down menus to select your end date.
  4. Click Save to save your changes

Please Note: Hidden topics will not become visible at the start date, if one has been selected. They will remain hidden as long as Hide this topic is selected.

  • Additional Release Conditions
  1. Click Create and Attach to add release conditions to your topic. For more information regarding Conditional Release, click here.
  2. Click Save to save your changes.

Click the Discussions tab for more Topic options.

If you will be using the Discussion tool in your course and you have already created forums and topics in Discussions, you may want to link your topics to corresponding Discussion topics. It is possible to link your Content topic to up to two Discussion topics:

  • Topic Discussion is meant to be a place where students can discuss the material.
  • Topic Help Discussion is meant to be a place where students can ask and receive answers to any questions they may have regarding the material.
  1. Use the Topic Discussion or Topic Help Discussion drop down menus to select the desired Discussion topics.
  2. Click Save to save your changes.

Click the Comments tab for more Topic options.

  • Personal Comments: visible only to you, the person who entered them.
  • Shared Designer Comments: visible to all instructors and TAs.

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Adding Multiple Topics

If you have already uploaded the files you would like to use to your course, you can create multiple Content topics at one time. If you would like more information on uploading files to D2L, click here.

To add multiple topics:

  1. Click Add Multiple Topics located near the top of the screen. You can also click an Add Multiple Topics icon Multiple Topic Icon located to the right of the module you would like to add them to. Clicking either of these will bring you to the Add Multiple Topics screen.
  2. By default, the Parent Module displayed is the module you chose to add a topic to. If you wish the topic to appear under a different module, use the drop down menu to select the desired module. You cannot add multiple topics to more than one module at a time.
  3. Check the box to the right of Enumeration if you wish to hide any enumeration that has been set up in content Settings for this topic only.
  4. Select the files you would like to use by placing a check mark in the box next to the file names.
  5. By default, the Topic Title is the same as the file name. You may enter any title you wish for each topic. You may also give your topic a Short Title if you choose.
  6. Click Add to complete the process.

    7. add multiple topics page

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Editing Topics and Modules

If you wish to make any changes to a module or topic's properties, you may do so by clicking the Edit icon Edit Icon located to the right of the module or topic's name.

If you have questions regarding any of the properties of topics, you may want to visit the individual Topics areas of this section.

Please Note: You will not be able to make changes to files that you have uploaded (ie: Microsoft Word, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Excel, etc.). Changes to files will need to be made on your computer, either by downloading the file from D2L or by editing the original file.

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Deleting Topics and Modules

To delete a topic or module:

PLEASE NOTE: DELETING A MODULE WILL DELETE ANY TOPICS AND/OR SUB-MODULES THAT BELONG TO THAT MODULE.

  1. Check the box to the left of each topic and/or module you would like to delete.
  2. Click the Delete Selected icon Delete Icon located either above or below the Content list.
  3. On the warning window that opens, select whether you would like to only delete the Content topics, or if you would also like to PERMANENTLY delete the files associated with the topics.

  4. Click Delete Selected.

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Re-Ordering Topics and Modules

When you create new topics or modules, they will automatically appear at the bottom of the Content list. To change the order of topics and/or modules:

  1. Click Re-Order, located near the top of the screen.
  2. You will need to expand your modules to see the order of your topics.
  3. Use the Sort Order drop down menus to select the correct order for your Content. Please note that you cannot move a topic to a different module on this screen. For more information on how to move a topic, click here.
  4. Click Save to save your changes.

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Moving Topics

To move a topic to a different module:

  1. Click the Edit icon Edit Icon located to the right of the topic's name.
  2. Use the Parent Module drop down menu to select the correct module.
  3. Click Save to save your changes.

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Uploading Files

To upload files to your D2L course:

  1. From your course home page, click Edit Course.
  2. Click Manage Files.
  3. Click on the Upload button.
  4. Browse to the file you would like to put on D2L.
  5. Click Upload.

NOTE: Files uploaded in this manner will not be available to students until they are linked to a Content topic.

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