Getting Started

D2L (Brightspace) is the online learning management system used by the University of Calgary. All courses (lecture & seminar sections) automatically have sites created in D2L, but it’s up to individual instructors to activate and use the site for their course.

The Taylor Institute for Teaching and Learning offers D2L workshops regularly. To register, please visit https://conted.ucalgary.ca/taylor/ You may also watch a recording of the D2L Essentials workshop here. If you wish to speak to someone as you build your D2L course shell (or create Zoom meetings for your classes), please consider booking a consultation with a learning technology coach.

Below are a few things that you may find helpful at the beginning of the semester:

Logging in

Depending on your role or affiliation with the University of Calgary, the login URL and credentials required may be different.

Written instructions

Locating the course you are teaching

Find out how to locate your credit course and what to do if your D2L site is missing.

Written instructions

Basic navigation in D2L

Learn how to navigate your D2L course.

Written instructions | Watch video (Youtube)

Activating your course

A D2L course needs to be made Active before students can view its content and access other course tools.

Written instructions | Watch video (Vimeo)

Communicating with your students in class

The News tool allows instructors to post announcements in the course to communicate updates, changes, new information and set reminders for students.

Written instructions

The Classlist / Email tool allows instructors to manage information about students and to communicate with them. 

Written instructions | Watch video (Vimeo)

Adding TAs/instructors to your course

This tutorial describes how to add a teaching assistant (TA) or a second instructor to your course.

Written instructions | Watch video

Changing or removing you course banner

The banner can be customized by selecting an image from the D2L Library, or by uploading an image from your personal files.

Written instructions | Watch video (Vimeo)

D2L Sandbox

What is it and how can I get one?

Technical Assistance

UService (IT)

Other Useful Links

Other useful links can be found here.