D2L File Format

Consider the following advantages and disadvantages when selecting the file format to use in D2L:

First Choice—HTML

Instructors may need help to make the HTML files accessible.
At present, students have to select the text and choose “print selection” to print. It is anticipated that the Print feature in D2L will be corrected in the near future.
Page breaks are not as clearly defined as in Word or PDF.

Most, if not all, faculty can create Word files.
Files can be viewed as “Text” when linked directly from Content in D2L. If the files are created as accessible, they are screen-reader friendly. Programs such as JAWS reads the headings and table markup code.
Students do not need Word to view the files linked from Content in D2L; they are displayed in the D2L Viewer.
Page breaks are consistent.

Faculty must download or obtain a copy of the native file in order to update it. The faculty member uploads or replaces the updated copy in D2L.
Faculty may need help or training to make MS Word files accessible.
Students must download Word files to print.
Links are not active when viewed in the D2L viewer. Word files are converted to image files. To click on links, the file must be downloaded. A workaround is to link the Word file from an HTML page, which causes the Word file to launch Word.
If the file is linked from Content in D2L, users with screen readers can select “View as Text.” This option is accessible if the accessibility features in Word have been applied.

Word files can be converted from Word to PDF using the File, Save as option. Many of the accessibility tags are retained; other features need to be applied using Adobe Acrobat Pro.
If files are linked from Content in D2L, students do not need the PDF Reader to view the files; they are displayed in the D2L Viewer. For users with screen readers, the file has to be downloaded and viewed/read from Adobe Reader.
Page breaks are consistent.

Faculty must download, convert, or obtain a copy of the file to update it. The faculty member preferably obtains a copy of the native (Word) file or converts the PDF to Word. The faculty member updates the native file and converts it to PDF, then uploads or replaces the copy in D2L.
Students must download PDF files to print. They will need Adobe Reader.
Faculty may need help or training to make PDF files accessible.
Links are not active when viewed in the D2L viewer. A workaround is to link the PDF file from an HTML file, which causes D2L to display the file in Adobe Reader.