Using Multiple Programs to Simplify Instructor Tasks in D2L

When I am logged onto D2L I have other programs open to speed up and simplify tasks.
They include MS Word, Notepad and Dreamweaver.

Here is an example of how I use either Notepad or Dreamweaver to simplify the sending of the same Email to several classes using HTML.

1. In Dreamweaver or Notepad compose an Email using HTML.
2. Click on the HTML Tab at the bottom of the Compose Message Window and then copy/paste the HTML code into the Email.
3. Type a Title into the Subject line.
4. Either "Save as Draft" or Send.
Sending more of the same:
5. Then to send additional Emails, when the first word of the title is typed the entire Subject Title will appear as a choice. (The Title is now simplified for all additional similar Emails written.)
The HTML code is still on the computer's clipboard so copy/pasting of the HTML code is easy for each new Email that is composed and then 'Saved as a Draft' or Sent.

As an alternative to writing HTML code, this copy/pasting will also work well if copying from an MS Word document by using the Advanced Tab Word Icon in the Compose Email Window.

By the way, I always save copies of Emails written in Notepad, MS Word and Dreamweaver to a folder on my computer. This speeds up the task of writing and sending the same Emails to classes in upcoming semesters. Generally all that is needed is to change due dates.

Using Notepad or MS Word to simplify Grade comments:

This is how I use either Notepad or MS Word to simplify grade comments when grading Discussions or Lab Reports.

For Discussions:
1. Under "Grades", similar comments are often left for many students. In advance I write and save some brief, standard comments in either Notepad or MS Word.
Notepad will allow for comments without any fancy markup but, if Discussion comments need bold type or italics for example, then MS Word is used. (Again, MS Word comments require using the Word Icon under the Advanced Tab.)
Those who favor using HTML only can always use Dreamweaver or type HTML into Notepad but I find that simple grade comments generally need only a Notepad or Word copy/paste.
2. When a grade is entered for a Discussion then a simple copy/paste from my already prepared list of comments into the Comment box under 'Grades' significantly speeds up the grading process for me.

For Lab Reports: These documents often require more succinct feedback for students. To separate and call attention to specific areas in Labs, such as a 'Data Table' or a 'Question Response', bold type is occasionally used. Therefore, I generally use MS Word copy/pastes to accomplish this task in the Dropbox, which then also reflects under "Grades".
1. In advance I prepare a set of feedback comments for each Unit Lab. Each 'set' of comments targets specific areas of concern that normally present themselves for that lab experiment.
2. When grading a Lab Report I select the best set of comments for a student's Lab and then copy/paste them into a saved document titled "Comments Lorrie Immoor". (Lorrie's Lab comments are saved for the entire semester so that I have an ongoing record of whether the student is repeating the same concerns from one Lab Report to another. Every student has their own "comments document" saved in a folder which also contains copies of their Lab Reports.)
3. After copy/pasting a standard Lab comment into the "Lorrie's Comment Document", adjustments are made as necessary, deleting those comments which do not apply and adding any additional ones that do. This generally requires the deletion or addition of only one or 2 comments from the initial 'set' that was used.
4. From Lorrie's comment document, feedback is then copy/pasted into the Dropbox feedback area using the Advanced Tab, MS Word Icon.
5. Even more! If a Unit Lab Report is lacking in format and content, then I upload an already prepared Adobe Acrobat .Pdf file in the Dropbox. This document explains Lab feedback in greater detail. The Dropbox comments that I leave will alert the student that the file has been uploaded and that it should be read. The .Pdf is used and uploaded throughout the semester as needed.

Again, in designated folders on my computer I save copies of "Discussion and Lab Comments" so that they can be used each semester.

In short, D2L is never alone or lonely. Keeping it company on my computer are one or more open programs that save time and redundant typing of the same Emails and Grade comments.

Lorrie