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Desire2Learn 9.0

Using the Course Design Accelerator

The Course Design Accelerator is a useful tool for setting up new courses. It is especially helpful if you are new to Desire2Learn. The Course Design Accelerator is divided into sections (e.g., Analyze and Design your Course Structure) and contains links to other tools you can use to develop your course. This document explains the links and refers you to more information about the tools they open.

return to topAccessing the Course Design Accelerator

  1. Access the desired course

  2. On the Navigation bar, click EDIT COURSE

  3. In the Design section, click COURSE DESIGN ACCELERATOR
    The Course Design Accelerator pane appears.

return to topAnalyze and Design your Course Structure

This section of the Course Design Accelerator include links to help you plan and set up your course.

Link Icon Description
Review course offering information Course Offering Information icon Opens the Course Offering Information in a new window. For information about the options, see Customizing the Course Offering Information.
Plan your course using the Instructional Design Wizard Instructional Design Wizard icon Opens the Instructional Design Wizard in a new window. See Using the Instructional Design Wizard for information.
Configure your grade book settings using the Grades Setup Wizard Grades Setup Wizard icon Opens the Grades Setup Wizard if you have not yet set up your gradebook. See Gradebook: Setup Wizard for information.
Create groups workspaces for your activities Groups icon Opens the New Category pane in a new window. See Working with Groups for information.
Reuse course content by importing or copying from another course or package Import/Export/Copy Components icon Opens Import/Export/Copy Components in a new window. See Copying Components of a Course for information.
Create rubrics for your assessments Rubric icon Opens New Rubric in a new window. See Using the Competency Wizard for information.
Build your course structure and manage content using the Course Builder Course Builder icon Opens the Course Builder in a new window. See Using the Course Builder for information.

return to topSet Up Course Administration Tools

This section of the Course Design Accelerator includes links to tools that can make running your course easier.

Link Icon Description
Copy or import course administration components Import/Export/Copy Components icon Opens Import/Export/Copy Components in a new window. See Copying Components of a Course for information.
Collect external resources and tools Link icon Opens Manage Links in a new window. See Working with Links for information.
Set up notifications to monitor learner's progress Intelligent Agent icon Opens New Agent in a new window. See Intelligent Agents for information.

 

return to topSet Up Course Communication Tools

This section of the Course Design Accelerator includes links to tools that facilitate discussion between D2L users.

NOTE: In a synchronous discussion, participants are reading and posting at the same time. In an asynchronous discussion, participants can be online at different times and still respond to each other.

Link Icon Description
Copy or import course communication components Import/Export/Copy Components icon Opens Import/Export/Copy Components in a new window. See Copying Components of a Course for information.
Create asynchronous discussion forums and topics Discussion icon Opens New Forum pane in a new window. See Setting Up Discussions for information.
Set up your chat rooms for synchronous personal and class chats Chat icon Opens New Chat pane in a new window. See Working with Chats for information.

return to topCommon First Actions for New Courses

Once you have set up your course, you can use the links in this section of the Course Design Accelerator to welcome your students.

Link Icon Description
Introduce yourself to the class by updating your profile Profile icon Opens Edit My User Profile in a new window. See Customizing the User Profile for information.
Post a welcome news item News icon Opens New Item in a new window. See Working with News for information.
Welcome learners to the forums and provide expectations for using forums Discussion icon Opens New Topic in a new window. See Setting Up Discussions for information.
Send a welcome email to your class Email icon Opens Classlist in a new window. See Sending Email in Desire2Learn for information.
Create a glossary of terms relevant to the course Glossary icon Opens Glossary in a new window. See Creating a Course Glossary for information.
Create and maintain an FAQ section FAQ icon Opens Manage FAQ in a new window. Course Tools: An Overview defines the FAQ tool.

 

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