One of the key areas in D2L is the Content section. While instructors create and organize most of the content, there are three sections that appear automatically at the top: Overview, Bookmarks, and Course Schedule.
- “Bookmarks” show pages a student has chosen to save.
- “Course Schedule” displays calendar items like quiz due dates.
- “Overview” is fully customizable, and it’s the first item students see when they enter the Content area.
Why customize your Overview page?
- If left blank, the Overview tab won’t appear for students. But adding anything—text or a file—makes it visible.
- A personalized overview sets the tone for your course. It can be as simple as a welcome note or as creative as an infographic-style syllabus.
- It offers a central place to greet students, direct them to important materials, or give a visual summary of the course.
How do you customize your Overview?
- Go to the Content section of your course.
- Click on “Overview” in the left-hand navigation pane.
- From here, you have two primary options:
- Add a written message (e.g., a welcome note or instructions).
- Upload a file using the “Add Attachment” button. Note that PDFs appear in an embedded preview window.
- You can also do both—include a message and attach a file.
What can you include?
Your Overview page can be as simple or creative as you’d like. Consider:
- A brief, friendly welcome note
- A short course description
- A link to your syllabus
- Instructions on how to get started
- A welcome graphic
Using a graphic syllabus:
Want to add a creative, visual element? Some instructors choose to use a graphic syllabus: a visual representation of the course structure, themes, or schedule. These can help students grasp big-picture ideas quickly and may be more engaging than text alone.
To use one:
- Search online for “graphic syllabus” to view a variety of examples and instructions
- Design a graphic or PDF infographic of your syllabus
- Make sure it’s accessible (e.g., clear text, high contrast, screen reader-friendly)
- Upload it using “Add Attachment” on the Overview page
Programs you can use to create a graphic syllabus:
- Canva – Free and user-friendly with templates for infographics, flyers, and syllabi.
- PowerPoint – Familiar to many and great for layout flexibility. Save as PDF.
- Google Slides – Web-based alternative to PowerPoint, also exportable to PDF.
- Adobe Express – Ideal for polished, visual designs; includes free and paid options.
- Piktochart – A tool specifically for infographics; allows for easy drag-and-drop design.
Tip: If you go this route, be sure to link to the Overview in your Welcome Announcement so students see it right away (announcements are located on the homepage).
Learn more about accessible design by reading the article “What a cool syllabus… but is it accessible?” by Teresa Thompson.
Below is a screenshot of my overview page, in which I created an infographic to represent the course. The infographic is an accessible PDF file, so it appears in a preview window that they can scroll through.
Final Tips
- Preview in Student View to confirm what students will see.
- Avoid changes after the course begins, unless necessary, and communicate them clearly.
- Some attachments (like “Access Google Workspace”) may not display even if added—always test in advance.