D2L PDX (Portland State University) Review

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The term Desire2Learn or D2L is used to refer to the online learning management system of Portland State University or PDX. This one has a few tools that are flexible. Each of them is made to facilitate the academic courses as well as professional development.

Availability

D2L PDX is designed for students, faculty, and staff of Portland State University.

D2L PDX (Portland State University)

Requirements

  • Operating systems
    • Windows: Dual-core 2.33 GHz or faster x86-compatible processor, or Intel Atom 1.6 GHz or faster processor for netbooks; Microsoft Windows Vista (32-bit), Windows 7 (32-bit and 64-bit), Windows 8 (32-bit and 64-bit), or Windows 10 (32-bit and 64-bit); at least 2GB of RAM; 128MB of graphics memory
    • macOS: Intel Core Core 2 Duo 2.0 GHz or faster processor; macOS, v10.6 or later; 2 GB of RAM 128 MB of graphics memory
    • Linux: Dual-core 2.33 GHz or faster x86-compatible processor, or Intel Atom 1.6 GHz or faster processor for netbooks; Microsoft Windows Vista (32-bit), Windows 7 (32-bit and 64-bit), Windows 8 (32-bit and 64-bit), or Windows 10 (32-bit and 64-bit); at least 2GB of RAM; 128MB of graphics memory
    • Android phones or tablets: Gingerbread or later (Android 2.3+)
    • iPhone or iPad: iOS 5.0 or later
  • Other specifications
    • Browsers: Mozilla Firefox 17 or later, Google Chrome, Microsoft Internet Explorer 9 or later, Apple Safari 5.0 or later
    • Internet access: Broadband internet connectivity (3 Megabits per second (Mbps) download speed and 1 Mbps upload speed)

Accessing D2L PDX

Once you have made sure that your computer meets the minimum requirements, feel free to access D2L by going to d2l.pdx.edu in your internet browser and then signing in with your Odin account credentials.
Accessing D2L PDX

D2L Homepage

After signing into D2L, the first thing that you will be able to see is the D2L Homepage. In this page, you will be able to see a list of all the courses that you are registered for. In fact, not every course of Portland State University uses online resources or D2L. For those who are not sure whether the course that you picked uses D2L or not, contacting your instructor is the best option.

D2L Course Homepage

You can reach the Course Homepage by choosing the name of your course from the course list on the D2L homepage. There are two things found on the D2L Course Homepage, which are the course navigation bar and course widgets. The first one is located under the D2L menu bar and the PSU banner. You are allowed to access a few important tools for your course by this one.

The Course Navigation Bar

As for the later one, course widgets are listed under the course navigation bar. Activities, Grades, People, and Help are included in the course navigation bar. Apparently, the components that you will be able to see here will differ since each course is unique. Some of them include Announcements, Activities and Content, Calendar, Library Resources, and Disability Resource Center.

D2L Content

The Content tool is able to be used to access course materials, complete required activities, and monitor your completion progress on topics that are in each course module. If you want to access this tool, all that should be done is to choose Content from the navigation bar.

D2L Discussions

The Discussions tool refers to the one that can be used to post, read, and reply to messages on different topics. Feel free to share what’s on your mind about course materials, ask questions, share files, and work with your friends on assignments and homework. This tool can be accessed by choosing a course that is currently active and then choosing the Activities drop down menu from the navigation bar. Lastly, you can choose Discussions.

D2L Assignments

Your instructor might require you to submit papers or the other variations of assignments through the Assignments tool. This tool is the one that will help you to submit the assignments in the Learning Environment. Besides, it is also able to eliminate the need to mail, fax, or email to your work to instructors. To submit your assignment by using this tool, you can just simply upload your submission to the right assignments folder. Do not forget to press the Submit button.

If you want to access the Assignments tool, it is able to be accessed by choosing the Activities drop down menu found on the course navigation bar and then choosing the Assignments.

D2L Quizzes

D2L gives you a chance to take quizzes and view the results of the quiz online. Choosing the Activities drop down menu on the course navigation bar and choosing Quizzes are two steps to access this tool.

D2L Grades

Each student of Portland State University is able to view the grades for individual assignments and tests with the thing called Grades tool. Not only that, overall grades also can be viewed. Remember that this tool is not used by all instructors and it is possible for your final grade for the course to not be reflected by the grades shown on the screen.

D2L Groups

The Groups tool is created so that the students can make group work areas. Some students might need to attend a course that uses the group tool. It is possible for each group to make its own discussion forums, Assignment Submission Folders, and locker area to work in. If this tool is used for your course, you will have to contact your instructor for details about the group management.

D2L Email

There is a mail system that makes it possible for you to communicate with your instructors and your friends in online classes. This one is apparently internal to D2L and it is different from your PSU Gmail account.

For more information about D2L PDX, do not hesitate to visit its page on the official website of Portland State University at here. If you have something to ask, you can call the helpdesk which is available 7 days a week from 8 AM to midnight with the exception of university holidays and closures. The numbers that you can dial are 503 725 4357 and 1 800 547 8887 ext. 5 4357. The later one is toll free so you can call them without having to worry about getting charged. In addition, you can also use the chat support that is available on Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 5 PM except for university holidays and closures.

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