Assignments (New View)

In January 2021, D2L released a new assignment editor that uses interactive boxes instead of tabs. This page describes the new assignment view. (For the original assignment editor, return to the New Semester Tools, and select the article for the original editor.)

The D2L Assignment tool is a versatile component of D2L that allows students to submit documents for many types of assignment projects in many formats. The D2L Assignment tool also allows instructors to view, grade, and provide feedback on student submissions within the D2L platform. Instructors can also create and use grading rubrics.

The Assignment tool is typically used for:

written assignments such as essays and research papers
projects such as PowerPoint presentations
multimedia projects such as images and video recordings

To create a new assignment, click on the Assessment tab, click “Assignments,” then click “New Folder.”

Assessment -> Assignments-> New Folder

Main Assignment Page

The main assignment area:

Add a Name for the assignment such as “Essay #1” or “Research Paper.”
Assign the number of points possible for the assignment.
Once you assign points, a drop-down menu for Grades will appear. In the drop-down menu, select "Choose From Grades" to connect the assignment with a corresponding grade item from the Gradebook.
Assign a Due Date.
In the “Instructions” box, add the assignment requirements, or upload an attachment by using the buttons and links below the text box.

Availability Dates & Conditions Box

In this section, you can assign a Start Date and End Date for the assignment. Students are able to submit assignment documents only during the specified time between the Availability Start and End Date.

If any students have a unique accommodation, set the accommodation in the “Special Access” area below.

Submission & Completion Box

In the “Submission Type” drop-down box, select:

“File Submission” if students will upload their assignment as an attachment in any format. D2L allows Word documents, PDF, PowerPoint, MP3, and may other common formats.
“Text Submission” if students will type directly into a text box.
“On Paper Submission” if students will submit a paper copy in class.
“Observed in Person” for assignments and projects with direct in-person or online observation, such as an oral presentation or clinical skills demonstration.

Also, select how many files students can upload to this assignment, and what happens to previous documents when students upload more than one document.

Evaluation & Feedback Box

This section has links to add a grading rubric and Turnitin.

Click "Add Rubric," then select an existing rubric or add a new one.

For more information about assignment rubrics, contact Online Learning or the Center for Teaching & Learning.

Turn It In

Turnitin helps promote academic integrity by identifying when a student’s writing is similar to another assignment in the Turnitin database or an external document. Turnitin does not "prove" that a document contains plagiarism, but it helps instructors and students reflect on the use of outside sources by highlighting similar language it finds in more than one document.

To enable Turnitin, click the link for "Manage Turnitin" in the Evaluation & Feedback box, then:

Add a checkmark to “Enable GradeMark.”
Add a checkmark to “Enable Originality Check.”
Add a check mark in the final box if you would like to allow students to see their Turnitin similarity score.

For more information about Turnitin, contact Online Learning or the Center for Teaching & Learning.

For more information and support, contact Online Learning.

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