Email Students from D2L

D2L has an Email tool that allows instructors to email students without having to login to their Prairie State Gmail account.


However, the D2L Email is not a complete mailbox. Instructors can only send emails; they cannot receive emails into the D2L platform. Emails sent through D2L will go to the students' PSC Gmail account, and the instructor will receive a copy as well.


The D2L Email is found in the Classlist area. There are two pathways to the Classlist.

Communication -> Classlist/Email

Instructor Resources -> Edit Course -> Classlist

Select Students -> Click Email

From the “Classlist” area, add a checkmark next to the name of one or more students (adding a checkmark at the top selects all of the students), then click the “Email” link.

Type Email and Send


In the pop-up email window:

  • Student email addresses will already be populated in the BCC field.

  • Add a Subject for the email.

  • Type a message in the “Body” text box. The Rich Text Editor allows you to insert links and images and to adjust the size, font style, and color of the text.

  • Attach a document (optional) in the “Attachment” area below.

  • Click “Send” when you are ready to send the email.


Emails sent through D2L will go to the students’ preferred email account, and the instructor will receive a copy as well.

Welcome Letter to Students

A Best Practice for online learning is to send a “Welcome Letter” to students several days before the beginning of term. The Welcome Letter introduces the instructor to students, provides information about the course, and includes instructions for logging in to D2L.

According to PSC’s Handbook for Online Education, the Welcome Letter should include:

  • A friendly welcome from the instructor.

  • A short introduction to the class.

  • Textbook information.

  • The instructor’s name and email address.

  • When and where students can find the syllabus.

  • Where to access D2L.

  • When the class starts.

A Sample Welcome Letter is included Appendix F of the Handbook for Online Education.

For more information and support, contact Online Learning.