The following are guides for using the features built into D2L. For information on how to use external add-ons or plugins with D2L, please refer to the D2L Add-Ons page.

Building a Course

The Department of Digital Learning has created a course template to help you build your online and blended courses in D2L. The course template is customizable and includes examples and suggestions on how to organize content. For example, the Start Here module includes a syllabus template and additional resources to support student success.

• Navigate the D2L home page.
• Walkthrough of how to build your course.
• Getting Started in D2L: Learn about creating your profile, setting up notifications, editing course dates, emailing the class list and uploading content to modules.
• Complete a System Check to determine if your browser is supported.
• Manage Files: Use Edit Course (navbar) to access folders to organize content added to D2L.
• D2L Attendance Tool: Take attendance in D2L. Some setup needed before assigning students absent or present. No integration with the grade book.
• D2L Copying Materials from a Previous Course: Copy all or selected course components from a previous course to a live course site.
• D2L Course Export: Provide an instructor with a zipped file of your course. This can be uploaded to a sandbox or live site.

Tools to increase Student Success

• D2L News tool - Post a welcome message or video
• Post your Syllabus - On the Designing an Effective Syllabus webpage you can find information on Marquette guidelines for syllabi, a syllabus template, and other best practices for effective syllabi. 
• D2L Calendar - Manage due dates and events.
• Bulk Edit Dates - Manage all dates for all activities using the Manage Dates tool.
• D2L Gradebook - Provide students their grades on assignments and other assessments in a timely manner and enter the grades in D2L.

Communication and Feedback

• Communication Tools - video
• Use News Items (Announcements) to stay connected
• Guide for using the D2L Blog tool
• D2L Discussions Tool: Facilitate meaningful participation to deepen student understanding of content. Allow students time to digest the material in an asynchronous discussion forum. (Use Teams for a synchronous meeting.)
• Create Groups: Provide opportunity for collaborative learning and set up group discussions and group assignments.
• The Survey tool is used to obtain student feedback.
• D2L Analytics: Data can be pulled from various D2L tools, but the Class Progress tool is the most comprehensive.

Assessment Tools

• D2L Quizzing Tool: Create formative and summative assessments using Quizzes.  For example, low stakes practice quizzes can be helpful for students to master content and prepare for the next assessment.
• D2L Dropbox Tool: Create submission folders for student assignments. The Turnitin plagiarism checker is integrated in the Dropbox tool. Turnitin is located in the Evaluation and Feedback section. For further information about Turnitin click here.
• D2L Rubrics Tool: Use an interactive rubric to assess student performance.
• Quick Eval: Found on the D2L home page and course level, instructors can quickly access their unevaluated submissions for grading in all active courses.
• Importing Scantron Grades into Gradebook
• The ePortfolio tool is used to store, organize and share digital artifacts that represent learning achieved in academia.
  • Instructor Guide
  • Student Guide
• The Grades tool provides grade transparency.  Students will be able to check grades across all required assignments in one location.

D2L Troubleshooting

Having trouble with D2L? Try these troubleshooting tips. 

• Visit the D2L system check and correct any issues found.
• Try logging into D2L with a different web browser (e.g., Firefox, Chrome, Edge, Safari).  
• Clear the web browser’s cache and remove any browser cookies for d2l.mu.edu.
• Ensure your web browser is up to date with the latest version.
• Check for updates on your computer and apply them, restarting if needed.
• Run a virus scan to check for malicious software on your computer that could be affecting your D2L session.
  

Accessibility

Materials, such as Word documents and PowerPoints uploaded to D2L should comply with accessibility standards.

• Accessibility Checklist
• Accessibility Creating or Converting PDF Documents Overview
• Accessibility MS PowerPoint Overview
• Accessibility MS Word Overview
• Accessibility Images, Video, and Websites Used in D2L

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For questions on D2L, submit your questions to the Distance Learning Helpdesk portal.