Introduction to theContent Tool in D2L

Presented by Jordan Epp, M.EdInstructional Design Faculty Candidate, June 21, 2013

Outcomes

1 Describe the Content Tool.2 Locate the Content Tool within your course.3 Summarize the basic components of the

Content Tool.4 Distinguish between the various Topic

options.5 Create and populate a new Topic using the

Content Tool.

The Content Tool

The Content Tool in D2L will allow you to easily create, upload, edit and organize the learning material within your online or blended course. This material or content will help your students achieve the established learning outcomes for your course.  The Content Tool can help you to effectively "chuck" and sequence the topics for your course allowing the students to focus their cognitive energy on learning and not be distracted by the navigation or operation of the technology.

Sequencing and Chunking

Sequencing is the process of determining the most appropriate path of instruction, activity and evaluation to best address learning outcomes.

Chunking is an instructional strategy meant to ease the cognitive load of learners.

Dive InActivity:•Open your browser and navigate to   https://online.camosun.ca

•Login asUsername: id.testPassword: test

•Scroll to the bottom of the page and select:Instructional Design Interview – Jordan Epp – ID Test 2010 from My Courses

Content Tool within D2LFrom the Course Home page you can find a link to the Content tool in the navigation bar along the top.

Content Tool: The BasicsA sub-set of buttons appear including Manage Content, New Module, New Topic, Add Multiple Topics, and Reorder.

Manage ContentManage Content shows you a “threaded view” of content items within your course.Functionally, this section allows you to select multiple items allowing you to edit, copy, move or delete them together.

New ModuleModules can be thought of as folders and are similar to those in your desktop file structure.

New Topic

Topics are the content items students will use to achieve the learning outcomes established for your course. These topics can be a variety of formats from an HTML page you create in a simple WYSIWYG editor, a file you’ve already uploaded into another course where you are the instructor, a file from your computer hard drive or other storage device, or a link to a web page or other course materials.

Within the Module “folders” you will create, upload and/or link to Topics which are similar to the various files on your computer.

Add Multiple TopicsMultiple topics can quickly be added to a Module by using the Add Multiple Topics feature. A list of existing Content Topics is provided allowing you to select the topics you want to add and even allows you to change the Topic title within the list.

ReorderThe sequence of your course’s Topics can quickly be reordered by changing the Sort Order number beside each Module and Topic Title. Changing one number will automatically reorder the remaining Topics sequentially.

Your TurnNow that you’ve had a chance to click through the D2L Content landscape it’s your turn to create some content.

1 Return to the main Content page and select "New Topic" from the options given.

2 Decide whether you'd like to create a new Topic using the HTML text editor, upload a file you've brought with you, or create a Topic using Quicklink to link students to existing materials on the web.

3 Select the "Workshop Participant Topics" as the Module for your new Topic. Create your new Topic as described in the demonstration. If you have any questions as you work feel free to ask your instructor for assistance.

Where to go from hereHere are just a few of the advanced features and functions of the Content tool that you might look into next.

• Reports: Run a report to see which students are on task and who might need a reminder to stay on track. Reports can be viewed by Topics or by User. •Restrictions: Restrict the Content’s availability to certain release dates to help ensure students are mastering skills before moving on to more difficult concepts.

• Discussions: Link Topics out to separately established Discussion forums.

• Objectives: Link Topics to specific Learning Objectives to better focus student’s attention as they work through the material. Carrying the Learning Objectives through to the Assessments is equally important.

Thank You

Jordan Epp, BFA, M.EdInstructional Designer

Email: jordan.epp@usask.caTwitter: eppjordan

Second Life: Harvey StoraroSkype: jordanepp

Blog: edtech306.wordpress.com