Content types
The D2L Brightspace Content tool can be used to present many different types of files, many of which will display right in the browser!
To create a rich learning experience, vary the types of content used to deliver information.
Here are a few options:
- Audio narration with transcript
- Video tutorials with subtitles
- Slide presentations
- Text and image notes
Learn how to deliver course content.
Brightspace supports a wide variety of file types. Many of these can be uploaded to your course, and read in an inline viewer within the course, so that students do not require special software to read the files.
For an updated list of permitted file types in the Content tool, please see D2L's document "What kinds of files can I use for course content? (external link) ".
Please note that certain media types will not be displayed directly in the Content tool in Brightspace, and must be downloaded by the student.
*Please note that while Brightspace does now support limited video streaming, we recommend hosting video content on a video streaming application, such as Stream or Google Drive, particularly for longer videos. Details can be found later on this page.
**AVI files may not display in the Content tool.
Extension |
File Type |
---|---|
HTM, HTML, MHT, MHTML |
Web document |
RTF, PPT, PPS, PDF, DOC, DOCX, PPTX, XML, XLS, TXT, WPD |
Text document |
JPG, JPEG, PNG, GIF, BMP, TIF, TIFF |
Image |
Supported in Media Library: |
Media* |
If you want to upload an image, but provide more context...
Another approach to consider, in case you want to upload an image, but provide more context or information with the image, such as speaking points, additional details, etc, is to upload the image into an inline HTML file within a content module, using our instructions to create a new file.
Instructors often ask why we recommend uploading video content to Google Drive, then linking it to D2L Brightspace instead of simply uploading it directly to D2L Brightspace.
Below, we have outlined a number of criteria that guide our recommendations. Hopefully, they can help you to decide which solution is best for you!
Criteria | Google Drive | D2L Brightspace Content |
---|---|---|
Streaming video can provide a better experience for students who don't have a fast internet connection. Larger/longer videos highlight this disadvantage more than smaller/shorter videos. |
Yes | Limited |
Captioning of the audio is required for students who cannot hear the audio, but can be an important learning and study tool for all students in the class. Note that Google Drive does not provide automatic captioning of audio or video. You can attach a caption file in either tool. |
Can attach a formatted caption (external link) (SRT or SUB) or transcript (VTT) file. | Limited auto-captioning (needs editing!). Can attach a formatted caption (SRT) or transcript (WebVTT) file. |
Preventing downloading is discouraged for most study resources, as this practice may be necessary for students who must review course materials without an internet connection. Some instructors may find it necessary to prevent downloading for certain files. |
Yes, you can prevent users from downloading shared files |
No |
I can allow people to view this content in multiple ways (i.e. share with individuals, share through multiple course shells, share with groups, embed on public websites). | Yes | No. Only those in the course shell can see the content. |
The person uploading this content must have a role in my D2L Brightspace shell like Course Builder, TA, or Instructor. | No, they only need access to the folder in Google Drive. | Yes |
When added to the Content tool of my Brightspace shell, the video can play in the Brightspace interface with the shell navigation intact. | Yes, depending on the settings chosen. | Yes |
Students may receive an error accessing this content if they have more than one Google account. | Yes, but there is a login workflow that will help. |
No |
Uploading here requires an extra step to make the content available in the Content tool of my Brightspace shell. | Yes, a link must be added to the Content tool. | No, content is usually uploaded directly to the Brightspace Content tool. |
For longer video content (especially full-length lectures), we recommend the use of a video streaming application, like Stream Video Platform - TMU's video streaming service for instructors and staff.
Stream Video Platform is integrated with D2L Brightspace, so you can ensure that content sharing with your class is secure. Sharing with Stream is simpler and only takes a few clicks. Stream can also provide you with your students’ usage analytics in how they are engaging your content.
All faculty, staff and students at Toronto Metropolitan University have access to Google Drive, with no space restrictions.
When uploading video content, Google Drive will actually process it so that it can be streamed from within a web browser.
This makes it a great place to consider hosting multimedia content that you share with your students.
If you have completed any of the Required eLearning modules in D2L Brightspace, you have seen a SCORM object.
SCORM is an industry standard way of creating learning components that combine text, images, interactivity and workflow. Tools like Adobe Captivate and Articulate can be used to create SCORM objects.
These modules can be imported into the Content tool of your D2L Brightspace course shell.
When you use the "Create a File" option in D2L, you are in fact creating an HTML document. As such, there are some HTML formatting techniques that you should be using in order to make your document accessible.
Please ensure that you do not include any student names or other private information in course files, as this could constitute a violation of privacy law.
These instructions will help you create a file, with tips on how to start building an accessible page.
When you use the "Create a File" option in D2L, you are in fact creating an HTML document. As such, there are some HTML formatting techniques that you should be using in order to make your document accessible.
Please ensure that you do not include any student names or other private information in course files, as this could constitute a violation of privacy law.
These instructions will help you create a file, with tips on how to start building an accessible page.
You may wish to make changes to an existing HTML file in your course. For example, you may need to update a syllabus file from a previous semester to suit the current semester.
- Select Edit HTML from the target Topic file's context menu. This will prompt you to edit any files you created directly in Brightspace.
- Drag and drop a file into the upload space or click Upload to browse for the file.
- If you would like your students to receive a notification of the updated content, check the Notify students that the content has changed button. Please note that students must have notifications turned on in their personal settings, or they will not see the notifications.
You can create a new HTML document based on any existing HTML file. If you set up a path to a directory containing HTML templates in Manage Files, these template choices appear in a drop-down list when you create a new document (see below). All links to assets such as images, CSS, and JS files are maintained when you create a new HTML document from a template in Content.
Therefore, you can build many documents from one central template housed in the template directory, with standard styles and images already included.
Note: this is an advanced feature, and may not be suitable for users who are not comfortable with HTML and working with templates.
When creating a new file or module, choose an accessible template from the ‘Select a Document Template’ dropdown menu. These templates are designed to facilitate good heading structure and organization of content.
If you have already created an entirely new HTML document, you can save it in your template directory for other documents.
HTML templates should be enabled by default. If they are not available, they must be enabled:
1. Click the Settings button in the Content section.
2. Check the Enable HTML Templates checkbox.
3. Click on the Save button to save the setting.
- In Create a file..., click the Select a Document button.
- From the dropdown menu, either select a pre-designed HTML template or upload your own by clicking Browse for a Template.
- To upload a template, browse your computer or the Course Offering Files.
- Click Add to begin using the template.
Copyright Notice:
It is your responsibility to make sure that all material uploaded to Toronto Metropolitan University's LMS/Brightspace by D2L and other systems complies with Canadian copyright laws. Please consult the "Do-it-Yourself Copyright Checking workflow (opens in new window) " before you upload content.
Use the university's already existing licences for content from the library and the Toronto Metropolitan University "Fair Dealing Guideline (opens in new window) ".
If you have copyright questions contact copyrt@torontomu.ca.