D2L Brightspace & Content Management - Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment

Professional Development
Instructional Technology

Get Familiar with Managing Content on D2L

A learning management system (LMS) and a content management system (CMS) are two different types of software platforms used for managing and delivering content. The LMS at Kennesaw State is D2L Brightspace, a software application designed specifically for administering, tracking, and delivering educational and training courses or programs. Its primary purpose is to facilitate the learning process by providing a centralized platform for creating, organizing, and delivering learning materials to learners. A CMS is a software application primarily used for creating, managing, and publishing digital content. KSU faculty use SoftChalk Cloud Enterprise for this purpose.

The set of resources below is designed to support faculty by providing options which consider desired time commitment and depth of knowledge.

These professional development resources will help you to:

Demonstrate effective structuring of a D2L course via clear navigation, logical sequencing of modules and content to enhance student understanding and learning efficiency. 
Gain proficiency in using various D2L features (ie. Set up content, quizzes, surveys, rubrics, discussions, announcements, checklists, audio/video, intelligent agents, hide/selective release, etc.) and learning tools. (ie. VoiceThread, Kaltura Media, etc.).
Explore how to request a D2L course shell and explain the purposes and benefits of a D2L template course.
Set up a template course in D2L using effective strategies for minimizing semesterly changes such as exclusion of assignment due dates and point values within the template course.

Professional Development Opportunities

These learning materials are designed to help you enhance your teaching experience with D2L tools and special features. From organizing course content using HTML templates to mastering the grade book and other instructional options, this professional development provides step-by-step guidance to improve student engagement and streamline your course management at Kennesaw State!

Resources

Using D2L HTML Template to Style, Organize, and Create Student-Friendly Course Content
- Description
  
  Introduces the D2L HTML template's benefits, demonstrates how to apply it in D2L, and explains the process of creating visually appealing and easy-to-read content that suits specific course requirements.
- Resource Type
  
  Video
- Average Time
  
  3 minutes
View Video
UITS D2L Resources Quick Reference Sheet
- Description
  
  Links to some of the most popular D2L resources.
- Resource Type
  
  Document
- Average Time
  
  10-15 minutes
Download Document
Requesting a Course Shell
- Description
  
  Learn how to request a course shell.
- Resource Type
  
  Video
- Average Time
  
  2 minutes
View Video
InScribe Tool for D2L
- Description
  
  Integrate InScribe into your D2L course(s) to increase student engagement.
- Resource Type
  
  Document
- Average Time
  
  5 minutes
Download Document

Self-Directed Modules

D2L Grade Book Tutorial
- Description
  
  Outlines the steps for setting up a gradebook in D2L Brightspace.
- Resource Type
  
  Self-Directed PD
- Average Time
  
  20 minutes
Access Module
D2L Quickstart
- Description
  
  Outlines steps for importing content into an empty course shell.
- Resource Type
  
  Self-Directed PD
- Average Time
  
  20-30 minutes
Access Module

Instructional Technology

Explore the instructional tools available to all KSU faculty members provided by UITS.

New to D2L

TOOLS	EXAMPLE OF IMPLEMENTATION
Course Shell Request	What is a D2L Course Shell? How to Request a D2L Course Shell, etc.
D2L Brightspace: Access	How to access D2L Brightspace, How to grant students special access to a D2L Assignment, etc.
D2L Brightspace: Content	How to create a D2L Content Overview, How to upload OneDrive files to D2L Content, etc.
D2L: Brightspace: Import/Export/Copy Components	How to copy Course Components in D2L, How To Cross-List Courses in Owl Express and D2L Brightspace, etc.
D2L Brightspace: External Learning Tools	Adding the iClicker registration link in your D2L course, How to add the Kaltura Media Gallery to a D2L module, etc.
D2L:Brightspace: Classlist	How to send emails to your students from the D2L Classlist, How to add participants to a D2L course, etc.
D2L Brightspace: Groups Tool	Use Groups in D2L to organize your students, discussion boards, assignments, etc.
D2L Brightspace: Intelligent Agents	Set up an Intelligent Agent in D2L to remind students about upcoming assignments.
D2L Brightspace: Widgets/Homepage	How to create and apply a Custom Homepage in D2L Brightspace, How to add the Teams Meeting Widget to your D2L course, etc.
D2L Brightspace: Statistics	How to view D2L Rubrics statistics, How to view D2L Quiz statistics, etc.
D2L Brightspace: Quick Eval	How to Navigate D2L Quick Eval.
Office 365: Getting Started	Set up collaborative documents, presentations, spreadsheets, forms and more through OneDrive.
UITS D2L Training	Review UITS-created D2L training materials.

D2L Gradebook

TOOLS	EXAMPLE OF IMPLEMENTATION
D2l Brightspace: Grades	Set up your gradebook settings at the beginning of the semester. Then, create and link grades to course activities.
Gradescope	How to add Gradescope to your D2L course, How to grade and sync an assignment in GradeScope, etc.

Communication Tools

TOOLS	EXAMPLE OF IMPLEMENTATION
D2L: Brightspace: Discussion	How to view D2L Discussion statistics, How to record and attach Kaltura media to a D2L Discussion thread as a student, etc.
VoiceThread D2L Quick Guide for Faculty	Use this as a great alternative to the traditional discussion board.
Using Microsoft Teams	A complete set of tutorial videos on how to use Teams created by the DLI.

Instructional Tools

TOOLS	EXAMPLE OF IMPLEMENTATION
D2L Brightspace and Kaltura MediaSpace Integration Guide for Faculty / Staff	Create video announcements in D2L.
Kaltura MediaSpace Resources	Refer to this list for helpful instructional media production guides.
SoftChalk Cloud in D2L Brightspace Quick Guide	Create interactive lessons that can be delivered within D2L.
D2L Brightpace: Checklists Tools	Provide a checklist in your course for students to track their progress.
Tools for Instruction	All the tools instructors need for creating engaging, collaborative, and compelling learning environments for both in-person and virtual courses.

Assessment Tools

TOOLS	EXAMPLE OF IMPLEMENTATION
D2L Brightspace: Assignments	How to Grade D2L Assignment Submissions using a Rubric, How to grant students special access to a D2L Assignment, etc.
D2L Brightspace: Quizzes	How to Build D2L Quiz Questions, How To Set Quiz Availability Dates & Conditions - The New Quiz Experience, etc.
D2L Brightspace: Rubrics	Use Rubrics to provide meaningful feedback to students on assignments and discussions.
LockDown Browser	Use this to ensure testing integrity for assessments in D2L.
Enabling Turnitin in D2L QuickGuide	Anti-plagiarism tool embedded in D2L for written assignments.

Accessible Tools

TOOLS	EXAMPLE OF IMPLEMENTATION
D2L Brightspace: BlackBoard Ally	Ally is a tool that is already integrated into D2L and allows for your course material to be accessed and downloaded in several alternative formats, which makes your course more accessible.

Other D2L Resources

TOOLS	EXAMPLE OF IMPLEMENTATION
D2L Day Webinar Recordings	A Compilation of UITS's D2L Webinars.
D2L FAQs	D2L frequently asked questions.
D2L Integrated Technologies	This page provides information and updates for the major learning technologies that are integrated with D2L Brightspace.
D2L Information for Faculty and Staff	Learn about essential details and resources related to D2L Brightspace, including course availability, student access guidelines, and instructions for third-party tool integrations.
UITS Technology Guide for Faculty and Staff	This guide clarifies the “who,” “what,” “where,” “when,” “how,” and “why” of accessing technology services, software, hardware, support, and processes at KSU.