Desire2Learn 9.0
Dropbox FAQs
- Which special characters should students avoid when naming files to be posted in the Dropbox?
- I am unable to open a file posted by a student in the Dropbox.
- How can I print all of the files in the Dropbox at once?
- How can I let a student submit a file to the Dropbox after the deadline?
- How can I export the Dropbox grades directly to the Grades tool?
- How can my students ensure that they have successfully uploaded a file to the Dropbox folder?
Which special characters should students avoid when naming files to be posted in the Dropbox?
Users should avoid using the following characters in any file and folder names that will be used in the Dropbox:
" * / : < > ? \ | ' & ; #
Instructors will not be able to open files containing these special characters. Folders will still function with these characters but we recommend you avoid them since students often mimic the folder name when naming their own files. Users should also avoid using consecutive periods in naming files. If users would like to include a special character to break up file names, use an underscore ( _ ).
I am unable to open a file posted by a student in the Dropbox.
The file could be a Mac file without an extension, or it could contain one of the special characters students should avoid.
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First, rename the file, adding the appropriate extension
EXAMPLE: Add .doc or .xls. -
If you still cannot open the file, from the Course Home page, on the Navigation bar, click DROPBOX
The Dropbox Folders pane appears. -
From the Dropbox Folders list, open the desired folder
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From the Files list, click the desired file
The File Download dialog box appears. -
Click SAVE
The Save As dialog box appears. -
Navigate to the desired saving location
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Click SAVE
You are returned to the Download Complete dialog box. -
Click OPEN
The document is opened.
OR
Click CLOSE
The dialog box closes.
If you are still unable to open the file after downloading it from the Dropbox, contact helpdesk@uwec.edu for further assistance.
How can I print all of the files in the Dropbox at once?
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From the Course Home page, on the Navigation bar, click DROPBOX
The Dropbox Folders pane appears. -
From the Dropbox Folders list, open the desired folder
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In the top left corner of the Files list, select Select all rows
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Click DOWNLOAD SUBMISSIONS FROM SELECTED USERS
The Downloading Files dialog box appears. -
Click the file link
The File Download dialog box appears. -
Click SAVE
The Save As dialog box appears. -
Navigate to the desired saving location
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Click SAVE
You are returned to the Download Complete dialog box. -
Click OPEN
A dialog box appears displaying the contents of the downloaded .zip file. -
At the top of the window, click EXTRACT ALL FILES
The Extraction Wizard dialog box appears. -
Click NEXT
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Navigate to the desired location
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Click NEXT
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Click FINISH
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Select all the files
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In the File pull-down menu, click PRINT
The files are printed.
How can I let a student submit a file to the Dropbox after the deadline?
There are a number of options you can use to allow a student to submit after the deadline has passed:
- Change the folder end date to a later date.
- Add special access to allow the one student to access the folder and keep it closed for everyone else.
- Set up a separate folder for late assignments and have all students submit any late work to this folder. Do not set an end date for this folder.
How can I export the Dropbox grades directly to the Grades tool?
When you set up the Dropbox folder, there is a Grade Item pull-down menu that appears in the settings. Select the grade item you wish to link to from this menu. When you are reviewing each students submission, you can click on the LEAVE FEEDBACK link to add the student's grade and leave any feedback for the student.
How can my students ensure that they have successfully uploaded a file to the Dropbox folder?
After a student submits a file to the Dropbox, they can return to the Dropbox tool. To the right of the folder is the Submissions column. The number in this column will indicate how many files the student has successfully uploaded to the folder. To check that the correct file has been uploaded, the student can click the number displayed in the Submissions column and see a list of files they uploaded to the folder.
Additionally, students receive a confirmation email to their email address of record.
