Content

What is the Content tab and what are Modules?

The Content Tab is the front door into your online class.  Click on the Content tab within your D2L Brightspace course to view all visible modules.  

Modules are folders within the Content tab which generally contain most, if not all, course learning activities. Course modules are often arranged chronologically by week or unit - but sometimes are also organized thematically.  

• On your first day of class, make sure to click on Content as it may include important information you are expected to review before you begin any activities or assignments.  Many classes include this information in the first modules (e.g. a "Start Here" or "Syllabus" module). 

• Generally, most classes use the Content area to access all course activities so you can complete required activities and monitor your completion progress on topics contained within each course module.   The Content tab is used to organize a course's links to course materials and activities, such as the syllabus, textbooks, lecture notes, readings, discussions, quizzes, etc.

* To learn more about how to navigate D2L Brightspace, visit our Getting Started page. 

Activities or events within D2L Brightspace are often changed by the instructors to include different kinds of date restrictions.  When reviewing the activity or event in a course (e.g. an assignment, quiz or discussion), these may include what D2L Brightspace refers to as the following kinds of date restrictions:

"Start" Dates

When students can view and start or complete an activity.

"Due" Dates

When activities are due.  Some instructors allow late submissions after the due date; some do not.  Likewise, some faculty accept late work for full or partial credit; others do not.  Consult the course syllabus or instructor for guidance. 

"End" Dates

When students are no longer able to edit/complete an activity.  In other words, students will lose access for submitting work after that date and time.  Within the Discussions tool, students will also not be able view a discussion board after the end-date. This is different than a due date. You may see a "Due" date and an "End" date for an activity.

"Availability" or "Locking" Date Ranges  

Within discussions, topics or forums (i.e. folders filled with multiple "topics") may be unlocked by your instructor for a specified date range, enabling you to post your work within that time period.   After that unlocked period ends, while students may be able to revisit a discussion topic for review, they are no longer able to post responses.  

Group Restrictions  

While this is uncommon, some instructors may include date restrictions for specific groups - especially for group projects.

Viewing All Visible Dates

You can see all visible dates in the course schedule area. Learn more by visiting our Course Schedule / Calendar page.