There was an issue reported with the 10.5.4. version of D2L as the students see a “Time Limit Exceeded” message in a No Time Limit quiz. It should be resolved in the next version.
Here is a way to work around it until 10.5.5. version deals with the issue.
Instructors,
Our dear librarians have developed beautiful widgets that you can just add to your course page on D2L. It is very easy to find it: on the library homepage, under Find a Research Guide> By Subject/Topic choose Widgets for D2L Brightspace from the drop down list. You can see it on the screenshot below:
Then, they give you a wide range of samples to choose from, depending on the course you teach. Further there are several documents that further explain how to add a widget you choose, and the embedded codes for specific widgets. The widgets give direct access to databases.
You can access the step by step description of how to add a widget to your D2L course here.
Big thanks to Cindy Gruwell and Melissa Prescott for developing this and making it available for our faculty and students.
D2L Brightspace is going to be upgraded to version 10.5.3 on Tuesday the 17th from 4:00am to 8:00am. So, whats new?
Here is our another D2L tip of the month or FAQ of the week, brought to you by MnSCU D2L Brightspace Service Desk.
Q: What’s new in D2L Brightspace version 10.5.3 for students, teachers and campus site administrators?
A: There are three FAQs to highlight the major changes for the update from version 10.5.0 to version 10.5.3.
What’s New for Students? https://d2l.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/1627
What’s New for Teachers? https://d2l.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/1628
What’s New for Admins? https://d2l.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/1629
MnSCU and Brightspace by D2L invite you to join them at the annual MN IGNITE 2016 conference on April 15, 2016, from 7:45 AM–3:50 PM (Central Time) at Normandale Community College, 9700 France Ave S, Bloomington, MN. Ignite is your opportunity to connect, exchange feedback, display best practices, and network with other D2L Brightspace users.
Sponsored by D2L in collaboration with Minnesota State Colleges and Universities and St. Catherine University, this conference will showcase many aspects of teaching and learning within the D2L Brightspace Learning Management System. Sessions will also feature related topics such as best practices in instructional design, technology integration and administrative management. A MN Ignite Conference is all about connection and collaboration. With presentations, training sessions, and time for peer networking, attendees can discover how D2L Brightspace—our integrated learning platform—supports every individual’s unique pathway and potential.
Proposals will be accepted after December 1, 2015, from higher education and K-12 faculty and teachers, as well as staff and administrators. If you have a topic you are passionate about, some best practices you want to share with colleagues, or an education program you want to promote, watch for the next e-mail and submit your proposal for sessions that fall into one of these five tracks:
1. Design and Development
2. Delivery and Instruction
3. Analysis and Management
4. Innovation and Engagement
5. Support, Training and Administration
This year’s sessions will be offered in the following formats:
• 50-minute Regular sessions
• 100-minute Extended sessions (may include hands-on activities)
• 30-minute Poster sessions
MN IGNITE AWARDS
Did you develop a bright idea for using D2L Brightspace to enhance your students’ learning experience? Or did your team collaborate on a project to address a student, faculty, or organizational need? If so, we want to hear from you!
Please nominate yourself (or your team) for the third annual MN Ignite 2016 Awards.
The MN Ignite 2016 Awards, given out at the annual MN Ignite 2016 Regional Conference, recognizes educators or those in education who have used D2L Brightspace to deliver learning experiences that are innovative, collaborative, or have made an extraordinary impact on learning outcomes.
More information with links to proposals and awards will be posted soon.
Our team recommends the MnSCU D2L Brightspace Service Desk. You can always find small details you were probably thinking about at some point. Here is another great tip on surveys:
Q: How can an instructor reset an in-progress survey attempt in a D2L Brightspace course?
A: Instructors can reset (i.e. delete) an in-progress attempt from the survey’s Statistics page. Follow instructions here.
Q: How can I quicklink to a discussion forum in a D2L Brightspace course?
A: It is possible to quicklink to a discussion forum in the HTML Editor. This option saves faculty time by creating one quicklink to the forum rather than individual topics. Follow instructions here.
Here is another useful tip for instructors on how to get the statistics on their quiz questions.
Q: What statistics are available for quiz questions in a D2L Brightspace course?
A: Learn about quiz statistics and common questions at FAQ #1601.
Below is a brief overview in tables taken from the MnSCU D2L Brightspace Service Desk:
Statistics by Question Type and Question Collection:
Are statistics available for:
| Question Type | Average Grade | Standard Deviation | Discrimination Index | Point Biserial |
| T/F | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes* |
| M/C | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes* |
| M/S | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Matching | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Ordering | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| LA | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| SA | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| MSA | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| FIB | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| 2+2 | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| x10 | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
* Note: There can only be one answer worth 100%; all other answers must be worth 0%.
Are statistics available for questions:
| Question Condition | Average Grade | Standard Deviation | Discrimination Index | Point Biserial |
| In Random Section** | No | No | No | No |
| In Folder Section | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| In Root section | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Has Randomized Responses | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
* Note: any questions that are contained in a Random folder DO NOT produce item analysis statistics.
Image credit: minnesota.qualitymatters.org
All MnSCU faculty and staff are welcome to register for different D2L Brightspace and SIG (Special Interest Group for Learning Spaces & Instructional Technology) webinars.
There are a few that repeat so you can choose a date that works better for you. With the final one in September: D2L Brightspace Advanced: Checklist Tool
to the final one in October: SIG Webinar: Time-Saving Tips for Stressed Out Instructors there is a gamut of helpful one-hour sessions for instructors and staff of our MnSCU institutions. We will keep you posted on more events sponsored by MOQI as well as add these webinars to our calendar!
Q: Why do I get a “not authorized” error when I click try to send an email message or access the email tool in D2L Brightspace?
A: It could be that a quiz in progress is causing this error. If a quiz has a restriction that prohibits using messaging while taking the quiz, while the quiz is in progress, you will not be able to access the Pager tool or the Email tool in D2L Brightspace. Once the quiz is submitted, access to the Pager and Email tools will be restored to the user. If the quiz is no longer available to the student, then the instructor will need to intervene to get the quiz submitted. See instructions and screen shot in FAQ #1527 at https://d2l.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/1527
