Desire2Learn Student Guide for Mobile Devices Information Technology Services Outreach and Distance Learning Technologies
Copyright 2013 Kennesaw State University Department of Information Technology Services (ITS) This document may be downloaded, printed, or copied for educational use without further permission of the Information Technology Services Department (ITS), provided the content is not modified and this statement is not removed. Any use not stated above requires the written consent of the ITS Department. The distribution of a copy of this document via the Internet or other electronic medium without the written permission of the Kennesaw State University ITS Department is expressly prohibited. Published by Kennesaw State University ITS 2013 The publisher makes no warranties as to the accuracy of the material contained in this document and therefore is not responsible for any damages or liabilities incurred from its use. Desire2Learn is a trademark of Desire2Learn Incorporated.
Information Technology Services Desire2Learn - Student Guide for Mobile Devices Table of Contents Contents Introduction... 4 Objectives... 4 What Features are Available on the Mobile Device... 5 What Features are Not Available on the Mobile Device... 5 Accessing Desire2Learn on the Mobile Device... 5 Accessing a Course... 6 Course Tools... 7 Accessing Course Tools... 7 Content... 8 Discussions... 9 News... 14 Bookmarking Content... 17 Using the Bookmark Tool... 19 Grades... 20 Calendar... 21 Logout... 22 Accessing the Desktop Version... 23 Additional Help... 24 Appendix A: Desire2Learn System Requirements... 25
Introduction This document has been developed for students so that they will understand how to use Desire2Learn (D2L) on a mobile device. Desire2Learn can be used as a small component of a traditional course, such as to participate in virtual discussions and check grades, or it can be used in a course where everything occurs completely online. Objectives The following learning objectives are covered in this document: Knowing what D2L features are available on the mobile device. Having the ability to access D2L on the mobile device. Understanding how to access a course. Having an awareness and understanding of the course tools. Knowing how to logout of D2L. Being aware of additional help resources. Having an understanding of the system requirements for D2L. Version: June 4, 2013 4
Using Desire2Learn on a Mobile Device In addition to using Desire2Learn on a standard computer, it is possible to access Desire2Learn on your mobile device. The capabilities are explained in the following. What Features are Available on the Mobile Device The following features will work on the mobile device: Bookmarks Calendar Course Content Discussions Grades News Items What Features are Not Available on the Mobile Device The following features are currently not available on the mobile device: Dropbox Quizzes Email Accessing Desire2Learn on the Mobile Device The following explains how to access Desire2Learn on the mobile device. 1. Go to the following website on your mobile device: http://d2l.kennesaw.edu 2. When you login, Desire2Learn will display the mobile version of D2L on your screen (see Figure 1). Figure 1 5
Accessing a Course The following explains how to access a course. 1. To display your available courses, touch the triangle indicated in Figure 2. Figure 2 2. The courses that you are currently enrolled in will appear on your screen (see Figure 3). Touch the course of your choice. Figure 3 6
3. Next, the Course Home Page will be displayed on your screen (see Figure 4). Course Tools The following provides information about the Desire2Learn Course Tools on your mobile device. Accessing Course Tools To access Course Tools, follow the steps below. Figure 4 1. From the Course Home Page, touch the Tools icon (see Figure 5). Figure 5 7
2. The Course Tools will appear on your screen (see Figure 6). Touch the tool of your choice to open the item. Figure 6 Content The Content tool will provide you access to the same items on your mobile device as you have when using Desire2Learn on your standard computer. Figure 7 shows the Content area for a sample course. Touch any item in the Content area to open it on your device. However, you may find that your mobile device does not support some of the items. In this case, you will need to open these items on a standard computer. Figure 7 8
Discussions The following explains how to create a Discussion and how to read and reply to Discussions posted by others. Creating a Discussion The following explains how to create a Discussion. 1. In the Discussions area, touch the Discussion of your choice (see Figure 8). Figure 8 2. The selected Discussion will appear on your device. To create a Discussion, touch Compose (see Figure 9). Figure 9 9
3. In the area provided, enter a Subject and your Message (see Figure 10). Figure 10 4. Next, touch the Save button (see Figure 11). Figure 11 10
5. Your Discussion will appear and be available for others in your class to view (see Figure 12). Figure 12 Reading and Replying to Discussions Posted by Others The following explains how to read and reply to Discussions posted by others in your class. 1. If other people in your class have posted Discussions, you will be able to read their Discussions on your device (see Figure 13). Figure 13 11
2. Touch the Reply button (see Figure 14) to reply to a specific posting. Figure 14 3. Enter your message in the area indicated in Figure 15. Figure 15 12
4. When you are finished, touch the Save button (see Figure 16). Figure 16 5. Your posting will appear as indicated in Figure 17. Figure 17 13
6. Touch Discussions (see Figure 18) to return to the main area for Discussions. Figure 18 News The following provides information about the News area. 1. The News area displays informative messages posted by your instructor (see Figure 19). Figure 19 14
2. Touch any News item to open it on your mobile device (see Figure 20). Figure 20 3. When the News item opens on your device, you can read the information (see Figure 21). Figure 21 15
4. After you have read the News item, you can hide it by touching the Dismiss button (see Figure 22). Figure 22 5. To return to the previous screen, touch News (see Figure 23). Figure 23 16
Bookmarking Content The Bookmark tool allows you to Bookmark content for quick access later. The following explains how to Bookmark content on your mobile device using the Desire2Learn application. 1. Touch the Tools icon (see Figure 24). 2. Touch the Content icon (see Figure 25). Figure 24 Figure 25 17
3. Touch the Content item of your choice that you want to open on your device. For example, if you want to Bookmark the Syllabus in Figure 26, you will touch Syllabus. Figure 26 4. To Bookmark the Syllabus so that you can quickly access it later, touch the Bookmark icon indicated in Figure 27. Figure 27 18
Using the Bookmark Tool The following explains how to use the Bookmark tool on your mobile device. 1. Touch the Tools icon (see Figure 28). 2. Touch the Bookmarks icon (see Figure 29). Figure 28 Figure 29 19
3. Any items that have been bookmarked will appear as indicated in Figure 30. Touch the item to open it on your device. Figure 30 Grades The Grades tool allows you to check your grades on your device, as indicated in Figure 31. Figure 31 NOTE: The Final Grade area that you see in Figure 31 will not appear until your instructor releases this information. Often, this information will not be released until the end of the term. 20
Calendar You can use the Calendar in Desire2Learn to view important dates about your class. If your instructor chooses to do so, he or she may include the following types of events in this area: exams, due dates for important papers, important class events, etc. The Calendar will appear as indicated in Figure 32. Figure 32 Any dates on the Calendar that appear as bold contain posted events. For example, in Figure 33, the 19 th appears as bold because there is an event for that day. Any events for the selected day will appear here. Figure 33 21
Logout The following explains how to logout of Desire2Learn on your mobile device when you are done. 1. Touch the Tools icon (see Figure 34). Figure 34 2. Touch the Logout icon (see Figure 35). Figure 35 22
Accessing the Desktop Version 1. Go to the following website on your mobile device: http://d2l.kennesaw.edu 2. When you log in, Desire2Learn displays the mobile version of D2L on your screen. Tap the Desktop Version link at the bottom to switch to the Desktop Version (see Figure 36). Figure 36 3. The Desktop Version will load (see Figure 37). Figure 37 4. The Desktop Version is similar to accessing Desire2Learn on a desktop PC or Mac. However, some limitations still apply: a. You can read email, but you cannot compose email. b. You can access the Dropbox tool for viewing, but you cannot submit to a Dropbox. c. You can access the Quizzes tool, but completing a Quiz from a mobile device is not recommended. 23
Additional Help For additional help, please contact the KSU Service Desk in either of the following ways: Phone: 770-499-3555 Email: studenthelpdesk@kennesaw.edu You can learn more about the KSU Service Desk by visiting their website: http://its.kennesaw.edu/students/ 24
Appendix A: Desire2Learn System Requirements Please click this link to run a system check (or copy-and-paste this link into the address bar of your browser window): https://usg.desire2learn.com/d2l/tools/system_check/systemcheck.asp?ou=6606 System & Software Requirements: D2L supports a wide range of client computer configurations. However, upgrading to the newest browser version is not recommended, since D2L may not have had an opportunity to evaluate the new version. If your current software configuration allows you to access D2L as expected, we recommend maintaining the software you have and NOT upgrading. You may wish to disable any "automatic updates" until you have completed your D2L Online Courses at the end of each semester. Supported Operating Systems: Windows XP, Vista, Windows 7 Mac OS X 10.4 10.7 Recommended Video Resolution: HIGHER than 1024 x 600 Internet Connection Speed: Although D2L is useable over a 56K modem, the faster & more reliable your Internet connection speed, the better your experience with D2L will be. A hardwired Cable or DSL connection is recommended, particularly for submitting assignments and quizzes. Java Runtime Environment (JRE): JRE 6 update 31 (Required to run the Equation Editor) JavaScript & cookies must be Enabled. Browser Support: D2L supports most popular web browsers. However, upgrading to the newest version of any browser is not recommended. If your web browser seems to have problems with D2L, either downgrade to an older browser version or download and use another browser. The KSU Service Desk can assist you with these tasks. 25
Windows Computers: Internet Explorer 8 10 o Although IE is supported, our usability tests suggest that IE may not be the most dependable software to use with D2L. Firefox versions 5 10 (Firefox 7 has had the best results) Chrome (newest versions have had the best results) Apple Computers: Safari 5.1 Safari 5.0 Safari 4.0 Firefox versions 5 10 (Firefox 7 has had the best results) Chrome (newest versions have had the best results) Tablet support for Desktop Web: Android Browser This browser may display the desktop version. If so, use the following link to display the mobile version: https://kennesaw2.view.usg.edu/d2l/m/home ipad Safari Playbook Browser Mobile Web: NOTE: Different mobile devices may behave differently. Operating System/Browser/Status ios/newest/supported ios 5/Safari 5.1/Supported ios 4/Safari 5.0/Maintenance ios 3/Safari 4/Maintenance 26
Operating System/Browser/Status (continued) Android/Newest/Supported Android 4.0/Ice Cream Sandwich/Supported Android 3.2/Honeycomb/Supported Android 2.3/Gingerbread/Supported Android 2.2/Froyo/Supported Android 2.1/Éclair/Maintenance Android 1.6/Donut/Maintenance Android 1.5/Cupcake/Maintenance Blackberry 6/Supported The aforementioned products/services listed in Appendix A retain their trademarks & copyrights where applicable. 27