Content types

D2L Brightspace cannot display all types of content right in the browser (in the document viewer).

This is an example of a file type that cannot be displayed, and therefore can only be downloaded to your computer to view.

You will need appropriate software installed on your computer to view the file, so please keep this in mind for your students.

Start by uploading your image file, using the instructions above.

To the left, you can see an example of how an image displayed when uploaded to a module.

Use the editing features to upload the image and format your text.

To the left, you can see an example of what an image looks like when it has been uploaded in this context.

D2L Brightspace supports a number of different video types (see list above). If your video files are less than 5 minutes in length (under 1 Gb file size), you may choose to upload the video directly to D2L Brightspace.

Please note, however, that Brightspace has limited video streaming functionality. Students with a slower internet connection or viewing longer videos may not be able to view the video smoothly, putting them at a disadvantage.

If you have a longer video file (for example, for full lecture recording), we recommend uploading the video to Stream or Google Drive instead (see instructions below).

After uploading, you may edit the video to add subtitles. Learn more about the Media Library, and its built-in editing capabilities.

1. In Content > Table of Contents, click on Import Course and then Import Course Package

2. Drag your zipped (.zip) SCORM content into the upload box.

3. Select Upload.

4. If your course will contain multiple SCORM packages, select Advanced Options.

5. Click on Continue.

6. Click the Select All Components checkbox to import all files in your SCORM package.

7. Under Advanced Options > Import file to:, please type in a unique module name so that the unzipped files from your SCORM package will be placed into their own folder (and won't conflict when you load more SCORM packages). Please use letters and numbers. No spaces or special characters. Use the name of the learning module or another logical name that is unique to the content.

8. Click the Import metadata checkbox.

9. Click on Continue to proceed to the next step.

10. If you are satisfied with your settings, proceed by clicking on Continue.

11. Select Continue to proceed.

12. You should now see a confirmation message that your course import was successful. Click on View Content to view your SCORM package in the Content section of your course.

If you wish to import another SCORM package into your course, click on Import another package, and then follow the same instructions as you did for the first package. Please be sure to use a unique folder name when choosing the location, so that your second package does not overwrite your first one.

Click on the SCORM package name to view (and test) the SCORM package, as well as rename, add a description or restrictions, etc.

1. Click on the module you want to create a new file for from the Table of Contents panel.

2. Click the Upload/Create button. Select the Create a file button.

3. Give your page a specific, short and unique title. You want to make sure the name you select isn't already in use by another file in your course, as well as ensuring the name is meaningful for you and your students.

4. Please review the tips below on building the contents of your page. When you are done, click the Publish button at the bottom of the page.

Start with headings and sub-headings

Think about the structure of this page. Are there natural sections of content, where you may want to divide the text up, visually (and conceptually)?

In web content, we use headings for this.

In the D2L text editor, you simply highlight the heading text and select the heading level from the menu at the top.

Headings have a hierarchy, to identify logical sections and sub-sections. For example, the title of your page should be made a Heading 1. From there, sub-sections should be a Heading 2, and sections within those sub-sections should go from there.

Whatever you do, always use the heading tool to identify headings - NEVER use larger fonts or bold or coloured text instead of a properly identifying the text as a heading.

Good use of headings in your document will ensure that users with screen readers can understand the structure of your content as easily as those who can see it.

Adding Images?

Make sure to use the Insert Image option in the tool menu - this will allow you to add an image AND will prompt you to add Alternative (Alt) Text.

What is Alternative (Alt) Text?

Alternative (alt) text is used to convey meaning and provide context in place of an image. Blind and low vision users rely on the alt text attribute to understand the equivalent meaning of images, figures or other graphics in textual form.

If the image has no real purpose, other than being pretty, you should mark it as 'decorative' (instead of entering Alt Text).

Links to websites and other documents

When inserting hyperlinks, ensure they are self-describing and meaningful. Avoid vague instructions or meanings (i.e. “click here” or “read more”), as well as pasting long URL’s. Instead, Hyperlink nouns or sentences that have specific context.

Example: Learn more about the American Black Bear (external link) .

To hyperlink a piece of text in D2L:

1. Highlight the text that should be linked, then click the "Insert Quicklink" (chain-link) icon in the menu bar.
2. Select "URL" from the bottom of the list of options.
3. Next, enter the full address (URL) of the page you wish to link to, beginning with http://...
   Note: Ensure that your URL starts with the correct protocol, such as http:// or https:// or the link will not be valid, and you may receive an error message.
   
4. Select whether the page should open in the same window, or a new one.
5. Click the Insert button, then make sure to Update or Save your page.

If the link opens a blank window: Some web pages cannot be set to open within another site, like D2L, and therefore must be set to open in a new window. If your link opens a blank page, simply edit the link and set it to open in a new window.

Tables

You may want to use a table in your document for a number of reasons. Please keep in mind, however, that tables should only be used for tabular data - not for creating an interesting page layout. In addition, there are a few tips to consider so that your tables are as accessible as possible.

• Avoid using tabs and spaces to manually create tables. Use the Insert Table option in the editor.
  
• Provide captions to summarize data.
  
• Use the Cell properties dialog to change formatting including marking row and column headers.
  
• When in doubt, use the Accessibility Checker to repair accessibility issues with tables.

1. Select Edit HTML from the target Topic file's context menu. This will prompt you to edit any files you created directly in Brightspace.

2. Drag and drop a file into the upload space or click Upload to browse for the file.

3. If you would like your students to receive a notification of the updated content, check the Notify students that the content has changed button. Please note that students must have notifications turned on in their personal settings, or they will not see the notifications.

Use the accessibility checker to check your work!

The D2L text editor, found in many tools across Brightspace, features an Accessibility Checker which highlights any accessibility issues with your content, such as: poor heading structure, poor contrast, missing alternative text and more.

To run the accessibility checker on your HTML page:

1. Click the Check Accessibility button in the bottom toolbar of the editor.
2. Review the pop-up for any alerts.

A word of warning: this tool cannot catch everything! It is up to you to make sure you are creating accessible content - this tool can ony help you to check your work.

If you have already created an entirely new HTML document, you can save it in your template directory for other documents.

HTML templates should be enabled by default. If they are not available, they must be enabled:

1. Click the Settings button in the Content section.

2. Check the Enable HTML Templates checkbox.

3. Click on the Save button to save the setting.

1. In Create a file..., click the Select a Document button.

2. From the dropdown menu, either select a pre-designed HTML template or upload your own by clicking Browse for a Template.

3. To upload a template, browse your computer or the Course Offering Files.

4. Click Add to begin using the template.