D2L's new look goes live on May 4

When you log onto D2L after May 4, your eyes aren’t playing tricks on you. It will look a little different — but do not fear, the functionality of the learning platform will remain the same.

The D2L learning platform is as an important teaching and learning tool across our campuses, enabling online learning, content sharing and discussions in the academy. Throughout the winter term and until May 4, the D2L team will continue to offer information sessions and unit-specific sessions to familiarize users with the new look, and answer any questions that the campus community may have. The IT Support Centre will also be open on May 5 and 6 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., for users that might need help. 

“D2L is a critical teaching and learning platform for our community that brings our students, academics and staff together in one spot. I think that the new look will improve the user experience and make life on D2L a little bit easier,” says Leslie Reid, vice-provost (teaching and learning).

“Our D2L team, which was an awesome collaboration between the Taylor Institute for Teaching and Learning and IT, has been out in the community for the last three months, sharing tips and helping people get familiar with the new look. I am looking forward to the whole campus seeing it on May 4.”

Email the D2L New Look team to request a unit-specific session for your faculty or department.

Note: On May 5, Internet will be unavailable for approximately 30-45 minutes – likely between 2 and 3 a.m., as part of regular IT maintenance and upgrades. This will also affect the ability to connect to services on campus like Library Services or the my.ucalgary.ca portal, as well as cloud services, such as email and Desire2Learn (D2L). For full details, visit the IT website.

Three things you should know about the "new look" in D2L:

1. Improved experience on the bus, or in line at the grocery store

D2L will now be more mobile-friendly. You can access the information you need from any device, wherever you are. The responsive page design will make your experience even better.

2. Comic Sans need not apply

D2L’s new look and feel includes more white space and a new font that will make the site clean and fresh. Buttons, menus, forms and icons all have a more modern look — a change that might seem small but has big impact.

3. D2L, Desire2Learn, Brightspace, Daylight — which is it?

You may have heard our platform referred to in a number of ways — but they all mean the same thing. We call it D2L and that won’t change with the new look!

If you have questions or concerns about the new look, please contact the D2L New Look team at daylight@ucalgary.ca. If you have technical issues with D2L, please contact the IT Support Centre at itsupport@ucalgary.ca. The IT Support Centre will be open May 5-6, from 10am to 2pm, if you need support over the weekend.