D2L's New Content Experience

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The New Content Experience (NCE) is now the default for Summer 2026 and beyond!

Updates as of 2/26/2026*: 

  1. Video recording of New Content Experience (53 minutes)
  2. Slide deck for New Content Experience (adapted from the slide deck used in the video above)
  3. New comparison of Web Page "Description" fields between the New & Classic experience (see comparison chart at bottom of page)
  4. Student tutorial video

*NOTE:

  • The video linked in #1 above states that all courses will revert to NCE on May 14th - this is NO LONGER the case. Courses prior to Summer 2026 will remain in the "Classic" (current) experience. 
  • All non-credit courses (Development courses, Department shared courses, etc) will switch to the NCE on May 26th.

Overview

  • D2L's New Content Experience (NCE) will be deployed as the default Content design for all Minnesota State institutions after the Spring 2026 term - this means it will appear in all Summer 2026 courses and beyond.
  • This new design has an updated look & feel, and easier navigation for opening modules and building content.
    Content tab in D2L with arrow pointing to newly designed module layout

 

Want to use the NCE in your Spring 2026 courses, or a DEV course?

  • Just submit an IT request, listing the name, prefix, number (including section number) of your courses(s), and state that you would like these courses to have the New Content Experience.
  • Tip! Request the NCE for a current DEV course, or create a new DEV course to try it out.

 

Details of the New Content Experience

  • Review this Minnesota State website for full details
  • D2L's New Content Experience is a refreshed new look for the Table of Contents.
  • Instructor workflows for adding content are simplified.
  • Students see a cleaner layout of content that helps them navigate modules more easily.

screenshot of the new content experience

NOTE:

  • The basic functions and module structure of Content is not changing.
  • Content will not be disrupted (with one exception*) when copying or importing content from another course or Zip file.

*Disruption Exception:

  • Description fields from HTML Webpages will NOT transfer to the New Content Experience.
  • If you have content in your HTML file Description fields, copy and paste it into the body of the webpage in the new course.

Some major differences between the Classic and the New Content Experience:

Classic (Current) Experience New Experience
Content is organized by "Modules" and "Submodules." Instructors can "title" the modules & submodules as needed for their content organization.

Content is organized by "Units" and "Lessons" and "Folders."

Just as in the Classic experience, instructors can "title" the Units, Lessons, or Folders as needed for their content organization.
The left-hand navigation is covered up when a user selects an item from the list of items that appear on the left-hand side. The left-hand navigation remains stable when a user selects an item from underneath the main heading.
Assessments that are linked inside a Module can only be graded by navigating to the tool itself or to the associated grade item. Assessments that are linked inside a Unit/Lesson can be reviewed and graded directly from the Content area.
All Modules have a uniformed, grey frame Each Unit/Lesson has a colored frame around it
Instructors use the "Upload/Create" or "Existing Activities" buttons to add content, and then select from a list of text-based options. Instructors use the "Add Existing" or "Create New" buttons to add content, with easy-to-understand icons in a cleaner layout.
By default, students will see a "checkmark" icon next to content items they have clicked on. Instructors could change each item to "Manual" completion tracking if desired.

By default, students will see the word "Completed" next to content items they have clicked on. Instructors could change each item to "Manual" completion tracking if desired.

Also, the word "Posted" appears for Discussions where they have posted, and "Submitted" next to Assignments and Quizzes they have submitted.

The Table of Contents has a "Bulk Edit" option for opening all content at once and changing "hidden" vs. "visible."

The Table of Contents does not have a "Bulk edit" option.

 

The "Description" field for Content items has a place to add content, no matter the type of content item it is.

UPDATE AS OF 2/26/26:

The "Description" field for HTML Web Pages does not exist.

  • If a Web Page is copied from a previous course with the Classic experience, any content in the "Description" field will be lost.
  • Note that Description content from all other types of content items will copy from the Classic experience as expected.

Questions?

Contact ctl@normandale.edu

 

 

 

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