Working with Content

Adding a Module to the Content Area

1. From the Course Home page click on the Content link, under the Course Elements drop-down menu. The Content pane appears.
2. Either click on the text box that says Add a module… on the menu on the left-hand side of the screen, or click Add a module… below under all of the modules.
   
3. Type the name of the new module and press Enter or click outside of the text box to add the new module. Doing so will automatically save the new module.
4. To add a sub-module to the module, click on the module, then type the new sub-module name in the Add a sub-module… field and press enter or click outside of the field to add the sub-module.
5. To set whether a module is visible to students, click on the Module from the Table of Contents. In the top right, click on the drop-down arrow next to Published. Published allows students to see the module, but setting it as a Draft hides the module.
   
6. To add a module description, click Add a description… and type in the description. Click Update to save the description.
7. To add release conditions for the module, click on Add dates and restrictions…
   
8. To set Date Availability for the Module:
   • Click Add Start Date…
   • Click in the date and time fields and select from the drop down menus.
9. To set a date when the module will no longer be available to students
   • Click Add End Date…
   • Click in the date and time fields and select from the drop down menus.
10. To release the Module under a set of conditions (a content item is viewed, after a post in a discussion topic, etc), click on the Create or Browse button in the Release Conditions area.
11. To save this module click on the Update button.

Creating a New File

This option creates a web page in an .html file format. This file is native to D2L which means that if something happens inside the platform or the content is accidentally deleted a backup copy for this document does not exist. Please copy and paste the text placed in D2L using this method in a word processing document such as Word or Notepad.

1. From the Course Home page click on the Content link. The Content pane appears.
2. Click on the module under Table of Contents that will have the new file. Click the New button and select Create a File.
3. The Create a File pane appears.
   
4. In the Title text box type the desired title.
5. In the HTML Editor type the topic's content. Use tools within the Editor to alter the appearance and functionality of your text.
6. To save this topic without publishing it, click on the Save as Draft button.
7. To save and immediately publish the document, click Publish.
8. Verify your link by clicking it within the Content area

OR

1. Click on Copy from an existing file
2. Select the check box next to a previously created file from the pop up menu and click Done.

Linking to Websites outside of D2L

Instructors can place a link in the content area. The link can point to any website.

1. From the Course Home page click on the Content link in the red Navigation bar. The Manage Content pane appears.
2. Choose the module you would like to add the file to.
3. Click on the New drop-down menu, and select the Create a Link option.
   
4. The Edit Link dialog will open. Enter the Title and URL.
   
5. Open as External Resource allows the webpage to open in a separate window. The progress is not tracked. If you do not have it checked, the content will open in a D2L window.

Using an Existing Course File

Use this option to create a topic by adding an already-uploaded file to the current course. This option allows for connecting to the already-saved files in the Manage Files area. Course files are any files that have been uploaded into the Content area. These files are located in the Managing Course Files area.

1. From the Course Home page click on the Course Elements/Content link in the red Navigation bar. The Content pane appears.
2. Choose the module you would like to add the content to.
3. Click on the New drop-down menu and select the Add from Managed Files option.
   
4. The Add a File pane appears with Course Offering Files selected.
   
   
5. To select the file:
   1. Locate and select the file by clicking on the radio button next to the document.
      Tip: You can sort by file type by clicking the Files of Type dropdown.
   2. Click on the Add button.
6. Verify the link by clicking it within the Content area

Drag and Drop Files

Instructors can drag and drop files directly into the module from their computer.

1. From the Course Home page click on the Course Elements/Content link in the red Navigation bar. The Content pane appears.
2. Choose the module you would like to add the content to.
3. Click on the New drop-down menu and select the Add from Managed Files option.
4. Open your computer’s file browser and find the files that you would like to upload to D2L.
5. Highlight the file[s] and then click and drag the file to module. You will see a black bar in the location where the file will be uploaded to.
6. Do step 4 with as many files as you want to upload.
   
7. Files will automatically upload into the module. Verify the topics by clicking on them.
8. To update a file, simply drag and drop the updated file, then when the Upload Files dialogue box pops up, click upload.
   1. If you wish for all files you update this way to automatically update, in the Content settings, select the checkbox “Automatically update files that have the same file name”. This setting can be changed at any time from the Content Settings menu.