Below are the latest news and announcements from LSC-Online, as seen in the D2L Announcements widget. This page will be regularly updated, with the newest information at the top.
LSC-Online also provides other outlets of helpful information, including an email newsletter, a video newsletter, and an event calendar.
D2L Showcase - Register Now!
Posted in D2L on Nov 8, 2024 3:39 PM
Register now for the D2L Showcase! Learn about new and upcoming features in D2L. Catch the live stream on Thursday, November 14, from 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM.
RESOLVED: Turnitin - Issue with Enabling Similarity Reports
Posted in D2L on Oct 31, 2024 1:34 PM (Edited)
UPDATE: The incident has been RESOLVED.
ORIGINAL MESSAGE:
At this time, we are currently investigating an issue that is occurring when trying to enable a Turnitin Similarity Report for a D2L assignment. As a result, it is not currently possible to enable Similarity Reports for new assignments. We are working with Turnitin to resolve this issue.
We sincerely apologize for the impact this disruption may be causing. We will provide an update as soon as new information becomes available.
Snagit - Now Available to All Faculty & Staff!
Posted in D2L on Oct 25, 2024 9:49 AM
Lone Star College Academic Affairs is excited to announce that Snagit, a powerful screen capture and recording software by TechSmith, is now available for download to all LSC faculty and staff. With Snagit, users can easily capture, edit, and share screenshots and videos to enhance their instructional and professional materials.
Please head over to the VTAC Snagit article to access the download link and license code that is required for installation. Be sure to log into the VTAC page first using your LSCS credentials to access the article.
For detailed instructions on using Snagit’s features—including screen capture, video recording, and image editing—please refer to the official TechSmith Snagit Tutorials. Live training webinars are also available via the VTAC Events page.
For information on other D2L-related topics, please search this VTAC knowledge base.
September D2L Update
Posted in D2L on Sep 24, 2024 8:00 AM
The next update for D2L is scheduled for September 26th.
Important information regarding the update:
Assignments - Bookmarks Removed
- Before this update, instructors could click [Bookmarks] to add bookmarks to pages of a PDF. However, these bookmarks were not saved. The [Bookmarks] option in [Assignments] → [Annotations] is now removed.
For information on other D2L-related topics, please search this VTAC knowledge base.
Labor Day Office Closure
Posted in D2L on Sep 2, 2024 12:01 AM
Thank you for your hard work. Offices are closed for Labor Day on Monday, Sept. 2nd.
Second Chance: Digital Digest Newsletter
Posted in D2L on Aug 28, 2024 7:00 AM
Our beginning-of-semester newsletter was recently sent out via email. If you haven't read it yet, here's another chance.
Topics included in this issue:
- Creator+ Elements, Practices, and Layouts
- Major Changes to Email in D2L
- Semester Start Reminders
- Respondus Monitor Enhancements
- Instructional Designers on Campus
- D2L Fusion: On-Demand
- And more!
Want to see some of these topics in action? Watch our video newsletter!
For previous issues, please visit the Newsletter Archive page in VTAC.
August D2L Update
Posted in D2L on Aug 20, 2024 3:45 PM
The next update for D2L is scheduled for August 22nd.
Important information regarding the update:
Major Updates
- The Microsoft 365 Widget has been released in D2L. See the full announcement for more details.
- Creator+ has been released in D2L. See the full announcement for more details.
Assignments
- After students submit an assignment, they will no longer see the Confirmation Email Sent Successfully message in the Email Status field. However, students will still receive an email confirmation for their submission in their D2L Email as usual.
Group Discussions
- This update makes the process of deleting and restoring group-related discussions more consistent. Previously, when a group is deleted, any associated discussions linked to that group are also deleted. Now, those discussions cannot be restored unless the group is restored first. Once the group is restored, the discussions can be brought back using the usual restore process.
For information on other D2L-related topics, please search this VTAC knowledge base.
Creator+ is Now Live on D2L
Posted in D2L on Aug 20, 2024 3:45 PM
What is Creator+?
Creator+ consists of 3 features which are designed to help deliver delightful courses that achieve higher learner satisfaction. The three features that comprise Creator+ are: Insert Elements, Insert Practice, and Layouts.
- Insert Elements can be used to deliver notable, visual, related, or sequenced information in an appealing and interactive way within HTML course content files. Creator+ offers 6 Dynamic Elements and 3 Static Elements.
- Insert Practice allows instructors to create practice questions within HTML course content files enabling students to immediately check their answers and receive instant feedback outside of a formal graded assessment. Creator+ offers 7 types of Practice Questions.
- Layouts allow instructors to easily arrange the content within their HTML course content files into multi panel layouts for a more organized and dynamic look. Creator+ offers 4 Layouts.
RESOLVED: Scheduling Outage
Posted in D2L on Aug 20, 2024 12:18 PM (Edited)
UPDATE: The incident has been RESOLVED.
ORIGINAL MESSAGE:
Acuity, the vendor that provides scheduling for LSC-Online technologists and designers, is currently experiencing an unexpected service outage. During this time, users may not be able to make an appointment for online assistance. The Acuity Status page has more information.
You can always reach out to us via vtac@lonestar.edu or alternatively contact campus representatives at https://vtac.lonestar.edu/help/campus-reps.
We sincerely apologize for the impact this disruption may be causing. We will follow up with updates as soon as we can.
Video Newsletter - Fall 2024
Posted in D2L on Aug 20, 2024 8:00 AM
The Online Update is a video newsletter produced every major semester by Lone Star College-Online.
Here are the topics in the Fall 2024 Episode:
- Creator+ Elements, Practices, & Layouts
- Microsoft 365 Widget
- Designers on Campus
- Faculty Support Options
- And more...
For more information about these topics, please search this VTAC knowledge base. You can also read our corresponding email newsletter for additional updates.
Fall 2024 Semester Start
Posted in D2L on Aug 19, 2024 12:01 AM
Welcome to the Fall 2024 Semester!
To get started in your D2L course, please explore the following resources:
D2L Semester Start Checklist: This checklist will assist you in making a smooth start in your D2L courses and includes topics like copying content and merging course sections. You can find it at the following link: D2L Semester Start Instructor Checklist.
Visit the VTAC Knowledge Base: This site contains guides to help you work with your new D2L course. (You are currently reading this in VTAC.)
D2L resources for students can be found at this link: Virtual Learning Assistance Center.
Extended Support Hours
Posted in D2L on Aug 16, 2024 9:30 AM
LSC-Online is offering extended support hours on Saturday, Aug. 24th from 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. The LSC-Online team will be providing ticket support and a virtual open lab to assist faculty with D2L, supported technologies, and course design.
The virtual open lab can be accessed through this link: https://lonestar.webex.com/lonestar/j.php?MTID=m4eac8d4d144364ae4704a32def8e4f68
Tickets for D2L related questions/issues can be submitted by emailing VTAC@LoneStar.edu.
OTS is available 6 a.m. to midnight for technology questions.
For other support opportunities, please refer to the VTAC Event Calendar.
ACCESS MICROSOFT 365 FROM D2L
Posted in D2L on Aug 14, 2024 10:09 AM
You can now access Microsoft 365 directly from within D2L. This new feature allows you access to your OneDrive files for assignments, calendar events, and manage your Lone Star College emails seamlessly from within D2L.
What is happening and when?
- NEW! Office 365 Widget in D2L to Access Your LSC Email, Calendar, and OneDrive in ONE PLACE!
- Starting August 15, access your Lone Star Branded email, calendar, and OneDrive directly from D2L.
- The widget can be found on the D2L homepage, at the bottom right below your courses, and at the top of the course homepage. See the screenshot below.
- D2L Brightspace Email
- The D2L Brightspace email service will be retired on December 18, 2024.
- This process will ensure seamless communication and centralize all college-related emails.
- After this date, you will no longer be able to access emails through this platform.
- Any emails you wish to keep will need to be forwarded to your LSC Email prior to this date.
YuJa is Phasing Out Support for YouTube Video Imports
Posted in D2L on Aug 14, 2024 11:00 AM
YuJa has phased out the option of importing YouTube videos to the Video Platform. Although you can no longer import videos from YouTube and store them in the YuJa platform, you can now create Video/Playback Quizzes from a YouTube video that is embedded through YuJa. You can access this in YuJa through [Upload] > [Link] > [Embed YouTube Link].
Please note that with this change, the video will now be sourced directly from YouTube instead of YuJa. This means that if the embedded video becomes disabled on YouTube at any point, it will also become unavailable on YuJa.
Turnitin Scheduled Maintenance
Posted in D2L on Aug 1, 2024 9:53 AM
Turnitin will be conducting necessary maintenance on Saturday, August 17th, from 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM CST.
During this time, all Turnitin services (including the D2L Turnitin integration) will be unavailable. Assignments should not be submitted to Turnitin or Turnitin-enabled assignment folders in D2L during this time frame.
We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
Scheduled Archiving of Old Courses
Posted in D2L on Jul 25, 2024 10:30 AM
As announced earlier, we are currently archiving D2L courses and sandboxes that are at least one year past their end dates. This archive includes courses from Spring 2023.
If you need to regain access to an archived course, please go to VTAC Support and select the Archive/Restore Course tool under Course Design. Here are instructions for using the tool.
If you restore an old course but don't see it in your My Courses list, click on the [View All Courses] link and use the search and/or sorting functions.
Hurricane Beryl Update
Posted in D2L on Jul 20, 2024 6:50 PM
All Lone Star College locations will be open Monday, July 22, 2024.
For information on Summer I and Summer II plans, please go to https://www.lonestar.edu/news/116788.htm.
If anything changes with the above, LSC will send out subsequent communication.
Hurricane Beryl Impact
Posted in D2L on Jul 9, 2024 6:46 PM
Due to the impact of Hurricane Beryl, we understand that many of you are still without electricity and are unable to access your class information. To that end, please know we have adjusted the Summer I and Summer II class schedules as follows:
Summer I classes (June 3-July 9):
Summer I classes will be extended through July 17th. Faculty have also been asked to post grades as soon as possible. Please contact your instructor for further guidance.
Summer II classes (July 11-August 18):
Summer II classes are scheduled to begin on Thursday, July 11th; however, we will cancel classes through Sunday, July 14th. Please contact your instructor for further guidance beginning Monday, July 15th.
If your course is scheduled through a closed location, please log into your D2L course to learn additional information on how to proceed with your coursework.
Communicating with your instructor is an essential key to your academic success. Please contact your instructor if you are experiencing extenuating circumstances that prevent you from temporarily participating in your course. Since your instructor may be working under the same circumstances, we ask for your patience and flexibility.
Students from locations that are temporarily closed are encouraged to visit any of our open campuses for student services, study areas, and other resources. For questions regarding registration, schedule changes, etc., please visit our Academic Advising webpage by clicking here. For additional helpful resources, click here.
June D2L Update
Posted in D2L on Jun 25, 2024 3:00 PM
The next update for D2L is scheduled for June 28th.
Important information regarding the update:
Bulk Edit and Offset Dates for Recurring Intelligent Agents
- Under Course Admin > Manage Dates, instructors can edit and offset multiple intelligent agents that have already been set up with a recurring schedule (for example, daily or weekly). In addition to editing an intelligent agent in the Intelligent Agents tool, instructors can now use Bulk Edit Dates to add or remove a new start date or end date, or use Bulk Offset Dates to offset the start date or end date.
- Intelligent agents that have a one-time run schedule, or repeat but have neither a Start Date nor an End Date, do not appear in Manage Dates and must be updated in the Intelligent Agents tool.
Assignment Annotations Tool Icons
- The icons used in the Assignment Annotations tool have received minor updates.
For information on other D2L-related topics, please search this VTAC knowledge base.
Improve Students' Writing
Posted in D2L on Jun 12, 2024 9:02 AM
Learn how to incorporate IntelliWriter into your courses today!
Sign up for on demand one-on-one training or arrange a group training for your department!
Scheduled Archiving of Old Courses
Posted in D2L on Jun 12, 2024 12:01 AM
Starting Wednesday, June 26th, we will be archiving D2L courses and sandboxes that are at least one year past their end dates. This archive will include courses from Spring 2023.
If you need to regain access to an archived course, please go to VTAC Support and select the Archive/Restore Course tool under Course Design. Here are instructions for using the tool.
If you restore an old course but don't see it in your My Courses list, click on the [View All Courses] link and use the search and/or sorting functions.
VTAC / VLAC Scheduled Maintenance
Posted in D2L on Jun 5, 2024 8:00 AM
The 3rd-Party vendor for the VTAC and VLAC knowledge bases, KnowledgeOwl, will be conducting necessary server maintenance on Friday, June 7th, from 10:00 PM-11:00 PM CST.
During this time, the VTAC and VLAC sites will be unavailable. If you need access to an article during the scheduled maintenance, you can download a print version by clicking the Adobe PDF icon next to the article's title. Please refer to the vendor's status page for further information.
We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
Webex-D2L Authorization Update
Emailed and Posted in D2L on May 28, 2024 11:45 AM
Webex is revamping its authorization methods for D2L.
Starting June 13, when you launch your first Webex session, get ready for a prompt to authorize CirQLive MEETS with your Webex account.
But don’t worry—this won’t impact the student experience. It is only for the instructors who are hosting their initial Webex session through the D2L Collaboration tab. Once you’re authenticated, that authorization will stay active for three months from the session launch.
Not only that - if you start another MEETS session during that time, the authentication extends for an additional three months.
If you don’t host a new MEETS session within three months of the previous one, just simply go through the process again and authenticate with Webex.
For more details and step-by step instructions, please view this article: Webex Meetings - Authorization Method.
May D2L Update
Posted in D2L on May 21, 2024 9:00 AM
The next update for D2L is scheduled for May 24th.
Important information regarding the update:
Feedback files are now available in Grades for Assignments, Quizzes, and Discussions
Students can now easily review feedback from the Grades tool. Instructor feedback added in Assignments, Quizzes, and Discussions is now visible to students under Grades.
For information on other D2L-related topics, please search this VTAC knowledge base.