Moving and reordering content in a Brightspace course

About this article

This article demonstrates how to move and reorder modules and topics in a table of contents (TOC) in a Desire2Learn (D2L) course. It is intended for instructors.

What's the root?

D2L and this article use the term, root, when describing how modules and sub-modules can be moved in a TOC. Root refers to the top level of the TOC, above which there are no parent modules.

What's moving?

Moving refers to removing a module, sub-module, or topic from its current position in a TOC and placing it in another position. D2L allows instructors to move modules, sub-modules, and topics by dragging and dropping them (see YouTube video) or by using the following functions:

Fig 1. Open the Actions menu to move a module

Fig 2. Open the Actions menu to move a topic

Move Up/Down - This function moves a topic or sub-module up/down one position in the content outline within their parent modules. It also moves modules on the root up/down one position.
Move To - This function allows an instructor to select a parent module to which to move a sub-module or topic.
Send to root - This function moves a sub-module to the root.

Instructions

For all instructions below, first navigate to a D2L course and select Content from the Materials menu. This will take you to the D2L Content Tool. From the sidebar region, select a module.

Moving a module up or down

Select the Actions arrow for the module to display the menu (Figure 1).
Select Move Up or Move Down to move the module one position in the TOC.
Repeat the process to continue to move the module more than one position.

Moving a module to another parent module

Select the Actions arrow for the module to display the menu (Figure 1).
Select Move To. This will bring up the Move To window.
Select the parent module to which you want to move the current module.
Select the Move button.

Moving a sub-module to the root

Select the Actions arrow for the module to display the menu (Figure 1).
Select Send to root. The module will be placed on the root, just above the current module.

Moving a topic up or down

Select the Actions arrow for the topic to display the menu (Figure 2).
Select Move Up or Move Down to move the topic one position in the TOC.
Repeat the process to continue to move the topic more than one position.

Moving a topic to another parent module

Select the Actions arrow for the topic to display the menu (Figure 2).
Select Move To. This will bring up the Move To window.
Select the parent module to which you want to move the current topic.
Select the Move button.

Additional Information

If you are trying to move something to a module that doesn't exist yet, you can either go back and create the module or you can use the add module link on the Move Selected Items screen (Figure 2).
You can also select Reorder from the Actions drop down menu to the right of each module name in the TOC. This will allow you to focus on reordering the items within that specific parent module.