System widgets

System widgets are defined by the Desire2Learn platform. You cannot modify the contents of system widgets, but you can change where the widgets are located on your course homepage and customize their display options (see Adding and moving widgets on your homepages).

Bookmarks

This widget is used to bookmark pages in course content. The bookmark widget is typically located on course offering homepages.

Add a bookmark

When browsing through topics within course content, click the Bookmark button in the content viewer.

Delete a bookmark

Click the Remove bookmark button in the content viewer.

Calendar

The Calendar widget consists of a mini-calendar and a list of upcoming events. It displays all events created by instructors and administrators for the applicable month. Clicking on a day in the widget's mini-Calendar filters the event list to only display events for that day. Clicking on an event in the widget takes you to the event in the Calendar tool.

Content Browser

The Content Browser widget enables you to browse course content, view recently visited topics, and view bookmarked topics from your course homepage. You can access your recently viewed and bookmarked topics from the content browser home and use the drill-down menu to navigate course content topics and modules. As you navigate deeper into content modules, the navigation at the top enables you to move up one module level or jump backwards to the Content Browser home. To view a topic, click on its name to launch it in View Content. The Content Browser widget retains the place you left off when you return to your course homepage.

Google Search

The Google Search widget enables you to search the web from your homepage. Your search results open in a new window using your default internet browser.

My Courses

The My Courses widget shows course offerings users are enrolled in and have access to. Users can navigate to course homepages by clicking the names of course offerings in this widget.

Users with permission to edit specific course offerings can access the Course Management tool from the widget menu.

My Settings

The My Settings widget only displays links the user has permission to view. These permissions are located under Account Settings in the Roles and Permissions tool.

News

The News widget communicates important updates and information to users. You can create news items with formatted text, graphics, audio, and quicklinks. You can also choose the date range and conditions for a news item's availability.

Tasks

The Tasks widget enables you to view and manage tasks from the Calendar tool. You can add a due date and additional notes to each task, and the system sorts them into the categories of Today, Upcoming, or Someday (no due date).

If you mark a task complete, it disappears from the list. However, you can click the View Completed Tasks link to review the tasks you've finished.

User Links

The User Links widget allows users to create a personal list of links to external websites.

Add a new link

Click Add links from the widget menu.
Enter a link Name and URL.
Click Save.

Edit or delete an existing link

Click Edit links from the widget menu.
Do one of the following:
- Change the link Name, URL or Order.
- Click the Delete icon to delete the existing link.
Click Save.