D2L July 2025 Updates
D2L July 2025 Updates avatar

D2L July Updates

Quizzes – Reopen a submitted quiz attempt | New

Instructors can now reopen the most recently submitted quiz attempt, allowing learners to resume from where they left off. The new feature supports scenarios where learners run out of time or submit their attempt by mistake, reducing frustration from auto-submissions and improving overall quiz management flexibility.
Previously, instructors could not reopen a submitted quiz attempt. This update introduces the ability to return quiz attempts to an unsubmitted state and adjust time limits if needed.

Figure: Reopen a quiz attempt from Manage Quizzes by selecting an attempt and clicking Reopen.
Figure: In the Reopen Quiz Attempt dialog, instructors can add extra time and confirm the reopened attempt.

Quizzes – Full HTML Editor for Question Feedback | New

This update introduces the full HTML editor for question-level feedback in Quizzes, enhancing the instructor experience and aligning it with the editors already available for Attempt Feedback and Overall Feedback, including support for the equation editor and file upload features.
Previously, instructors could leave feedback using only the inline HTML editor, which offered limited formatting and functionality.

Figure: The question Feedback editor now includes extended options.

Assignments – Flexible text or file submission options for enhanced student choice | New

This feature enables instructors to create a new assignment type that accepts submissions in the form of an uploaded file, text entered in Brightspace Editor, or both.

To create this new type of assignment, instructors must go to the New Assignment page, expand the Submission & Completion panel, open the Submission Type dropdown, and select the new File or text submission option.

Previously, the available Submission Types were: File submissionText submissionOn paper submission, and Observed in person.

Figure: The new File or text submission option appears in the Submission Type dropdown on the New Assignment page.

Figure: The new Submit Assignment page for students, showing the option to submit files and the option to enter text in Brightspace Editor.

Brightspace Training Resources | Reminder

Following our Brightspace Training webinar series, all past recordings and information from the trainings are accessible via the Discover tool from the Brightspace homepage where instructors can now self-enroll in the course. This course is purely for the archival of webinar training content but it has been opened for Instructor view!

Figure: Discover link on the homepage navbar and the Brightspace Training Resources course

Instructor Guided Training | Reminder

If you have not done so already, please feel free to access our D2L guided instructor training course by clicking the link with the D2L moose on your homepage. At first this training looks barren with only a few items, but as you complete each module a new one will open up! This training goes through the basics of D2L all the way through more advanced tools and is available to all instructors of the college. You will also be entered to win some D2L branded prizes such as a Morris the Moose plushie, travel pillows, and tumbler cups!

Figure: The instructor guided training link.

[ASSESS – Student Affairs Outcomes] An Online Webinar This Thursday, July 17 @ 2:00 pm ET.
[ASSESS – Student Affairs Outcomes] An Online Webinar This Thursday, July 17 @ 2:00 pm ET. avatar

Advancing Best Practices in Student Affairs Outcomes Assessment presented by Dr. Sara Finney, Dr. Jonathan Stewart, and Sarah LaFrance, from James Madison University. 

If interested, please register using the QR code in the flyer below or using this link. The expanded link is: https://myacpa.member365.org/public/event/details/23aaefd3c3b25a7d1d626d2dc613e8754cf074e7/1

Free Webinar Thursday July 31st, 2025 at 3pm ET: SPARK Summer Discussion: Faculty Use of ChatGPT for Student Feedback
Free Webinar Thursday July 31st, 2025 at 3pm ET: SPARK Summer Discussion: Faculty Use of ChatGPT for Student Feedback avatar


We’ve all probably heard some faculty concerns or complaints about students using AI on their assignments. Now the tables are turned as students start complaining about faculty using AI for providing feedback on assignments. This July, join the SPARK Committee for a discussion of the New York Times Article, “The Professors are Using ChatGPT, and Some Students Aren’t Happy About it.” Read this brief article and then join SPARK for a virtual discussion on Zoom. A link to the article can be found on the AALHE website (https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/14/technology/chatgpt-college-professors.html?ref=oembed).

Register link for webinar: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/BowBYdcsRIqBkZNNB8je4Q#/registration