There are many options for setting dates in D2L. By understanding start dates, due dates and end dates in each tool, you can make an informed decision on which dates work best for your class.
Assignments
In Assignments you can set due dates, and/or end dates
Due Date Only:
- Students can add submissions past the Due Date (if no End Date is set)
- A late notation will appear in red text on the submission page
- The Due date is automatically added to the course calendar
End Date Only:
- Students cannot add submissions past the End Date
- If a student needs an extension, you must give them special access
- The End date is automatically added to the course calendar
Due date and End Date:
In some cases, you may want both dates. An example would be if the assignment is due on 11/20, but you will allow late submissions up until 11/27.
- A late notation will appear in red text on the assignment submission page for submissions made after the due date
- Students can add submissions until the End date
- Only the Due date will be added to the calendar
Quizzes
In Quizzes you can set due dates and end dates
Due Date Only:
- Students can take the quiz past the Due Date (if no End Date is set)
- A late notation will appear in red text on the quiz grade page
- Click the arrow next to the quiz name and click Grade
- The late notation will under the attempt 1 link
- The due date is automatically added to the course calendar
End Date Only:
- Students cannot start the quiz past the End Date
- If a student needs an extension, you will give them special access
- You must check the “Display in Calendar” box to add the End date to the course calendar
Due date and End Date:
In some cases, you may want both dates. An example would be if the quiz is due on 11/20, but you will allow late attempts up until 11/27.
- A late notation will appear in red text on the quiz grade page for attempts made after the due date
- Students can start quiz attempts until the End date
- Due dates will show on the calendar automatically, but you can decide if the end date should be added.
Discussions
In Discussions you can set availability dates & conditions
Using Availability dates, you control when Topics are visible to students and when they can read and/or post to the topic.
Enter a start and/or end date and then click the link below the dates for more options.
- Visible with access restricted means that students can see the topic, but they cannot click on the topic.
- Visible with submission restricted means students can see and click on the topic, read posts if present, but they cannot add new threads or replies.
- To add dates to the course calendar, check the “Add availability dates to Calendar” box.
Content
In Content you can set start dates, due dates and end dates
Start Date: If you add a Start date to a Module, students will be able to see the Module name, the Module description, and the list of Topics in the Module; however, they will not be able to click on (open) any of the Topics within the Module until the Start Date. Module start dates show on the course calendar.
If you add a Start date to a Content Topic, students will be able to see the Topic and the Topic description, but they will not be able to click on the Topic until the Start date. Topic start dates will show on the course calendar.
Due Date: If you add a Due date to a Module or Topic, the date will show up in the course calendar.
End Date. If you add an End Date to a Module or Topic, the Module or Topic still shows up on the Content page, but it cannot be clicked (opened) by students after that date. Module End dates show on the course calendar, Topic End dates do not show on the course calendar.
Additional Resources
Go to the eLearning Website for detailed tutorials on many D2L topics.