Add a file to a discussion post

If you want to add a file, such as a Word document or picture to a discussion post, use the following instructions.

Note: If you are attaching a picture larger than 300 KB, it is recommended that you re-size the image before uploading it. (Instructions to follow in another post.) Large images require long download times. Your dial-up friends will thank you!

Click here for a broadband speed test and download calculator. 

To begin, go into your D2L class and click on the appropriate discussion topic. Then…

1. Click on Compose to start a new message.
2. Type in a subject, such as “My intro.”
3. Type your message in the text area (or copy and paste from another document).
4. Scroll down the page and click on the button to “Add a File.”
5. Click Browse.
6. Find the file or picture you want to attach to your message.
7. Click Open.
8. Click Upload. You should now see your file listed under “Attachments.”
9. Click on Post.

 

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Recommended Web Browsers

Recommended:

 

• Mac: Firefox 2
• Windows: Internet Explorer 7 or Firefox 2
  

 

 

Internet Explorer 6 or higher and Firefox 2.0 are currently recommended for the Windows operating system. Firefox 2.0 is recommended for Mac systems. AOL and Safari are NOT recommended browsers.

 

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Student Orientation to D2L Available

Welcome back!

If you are new to D2L, or if you need to refresh your skills, we recommend that you go through the “BSU Student Orientation to D2L.” 

If your class or classes are entirely online, you should have been automatically enrolled in the orientation. If you have a class on campus that is web-enhanced or your instructor is using D2L for some course elements, you can ask to be enrolled in the Student Orientation. The site will introduce you to the main areas of D2L and also give you a chance to try out some of the tools.

If you do not currently have access to the Student Orientation, please contact Theresa Perreault in Computer Support. TPerreault@bemidjistate.edu

Have a great year!

 

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D2L Scheduled Downtimes

To all D2L Users:FYI from Karen Wenz (Chancellor’s Office):

Beginning on Sunday, August 17, 2008, and continuing until further notice, the D2L system will not be available to users during the maintenance window on Sunday mornings from 5 AM to 9 AM.

While we may not always need to use the entire four-hour window, users should plan their usage of D2L around the maintenance window of 5 AM to 9 AM. Whenever the maintenance work is completed in less than four hours, the system will become available to users earlier.

 

Student Progress: How am I doing?

There is a tool available from the Classlist that allows you to view your progress in your class. Using this tool you can view your progress within all elements of D2L (i.e. Content, Discussions, Dropbox, Grades, Quizzes, and Surveys).

1. Click on Classlist 
2. Click on the  View Progress icon next to your name
3. Under “Progress Selection” use the drop-down arrow to choose which tool you wish to view
4. Click Apply
5. Scroll down past the login summary and login details

 

What Information is Available?

Content:

• Total # of visits (to Content and each topic)
• # of topics Visited
• Time Spent (in Content and per topic)

Discussions

• # of messages authored
• # of message read

Dropbox

• # of folders with submissions
• # of folders without submissions
• submission details such as date and # of files in each folder

Grades

• # of Grade items (# of items you have received a grade for)
• total # of Grade items
• adjusted final grade

Quizzes

• # of completed Quizzes
• # of graded Quizzes
• total # of Quizzes
• average overall Quiz grade

Surveys

• # surveys completed
• total # surveys

Important Note: your instructor has access to student progress as well!

 

New HTML Editor

With the new HTML editor you now have the option of using the Basic Toolbar or Advanced Toolbar (see pictures below).

Basic Toolbar: HTML Editor

 

Advanced Toolbar: HTML Editor

 

It is my recommendation that you use the advanced toolbar which has many helpful features:

• “Paste from Word” tool. This will be helpful when you type your discussion response into a Word document and want to copy and paste it into a D2L discussion topic.
• Undo and Redo buttons. Let’s face it-we all make mistakes!
• Text color. Highlight the text, click the dropdown arrow next to the “T” tool. Select a text color.
• Inserting tables, images, custom characters, equations, objects, links. 

Please note: your spellcheck tool changes position when you switch from the basic toolbar (far left) to the advanced toolbar (far right).

 

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Where’s my spellchecker?

With the upgrade to D2L 8.3, the appearance of your HTML Editor (the text box you use to type discussion posts and descriptions for dropbox submissions) has changed. However, you will find all of the previous formatting options still available including the spellchecker.

The icon for the spellchecker is the ABC with a green checkmark. If you are using the basic toolbar, your spellcheck is located on the far left. If you are using the advanced toolbar, the button will be on the far right. 

The new spellcheck is a toggle, meaning you can click the icon to turn spellcheck on, and click it again to turn it off. When activated, your potential misspellings will be underlined in red. Simply left-click on a word, choose an alternative from the drop-down list, or choose ignore word.

Note! You must turn the spellcheck off before adding new text or editing text.

Not only can you spellcheck in English, but you can click on the drop-down arrow next to the ABC button and choose one of 11 languages!

 

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Discussion Area Concerns

With the upgrade to version 8.3 there are some new features available in the discussions area. However, if you are accustomed to the previous version and are having trouble navigating your discussion area, you should check your discussion settings. (Go to Discussions, click on the Settings link on the upper-right side).

The recommended settings for discussions are as follows: if you are unsure what an option does, click on the ? next to the item.

Discussion Settings Window

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Display Settings:

• Show the discussion topics list
• Show the search bar (optional)
• Preview Pane Option (optional). This is checked as the default. Checking this option displays the lower Preview pane in the Message List View. The preview pane is resizeable by draging the border which will be useful especially when the discussion topic description is lengthy. If you uncheck this option, clicking on a message in the Message List view will open the message in a popup window.

 

Default Message List View:

• Threaded

 

Message List Style:

• Grid Style

 

Message Fields to Display:

• no selection

 

Character Limits:

• no selection

 

Reply Settings:

• Include original message text in reply

 

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New “Content” Feature

Smiley Face

New Content Feature with 8.3 Upgrade

With the upgrade to D2L 8.3 comes the ability to expand and collapse content modules (or content headings). In the previous version, you had to scroll down through the (sometimes lengthy) list of modules and topics to get to course materials at the end of the list.

Now, you can simply click on the (-) sign next to the module (heading) to collapse all of the content under that heading. If you wish to go back to any of the content, click on the (+) next to the module, and the content will again be visible.

This feature will be especially useful for students in courses whose content is organized by weeks. When you are finished with Week 1, collapse the module; when finished with Week 2, collapse that one, etc.

 

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