Desire2Learn Frequently Asked Questions

What is Desire2Learn (D2L)?

Desire2Learn is a Learning Management System (LMS) that is created and owned by a company called Desire2Learn. This application will replace Pirate’s View Vista.

When will Armstrong migrate to Desire2Learn (D2L)?

Armstrong will start teaching classes in D2L Spring 2013 - January 7, 2013

Why are we moving to D2L?

Blackboard (who owns Vista) is discontinuing the Vista product line. Since the software will no longer be available the University System of Georgia had to move to alternate product. For more details on how D2L came to be selected visit this website: http://www.usg.edu/learning_management_system/

As an instructor, what does this migration mean to me?

Any coursework you are using in Vista will have to be completed in D2L starting in January 2013.

As a student, what does this mean to me?

Beginning January 2013 you will be using the D2L System to access your online class content.

When you say migrate to D2L, what does this mean?

The Vista system is being taken offline for instructional purposes in January 2013. All online instruction will be done inside D2L starting in January 2013. Vista will be taken offline permanently in December 2013 so all of your work will need to be moved into D2L or saved onto a storage device. Instructors will have access until March 2013.

I am teaching classes in Vista, will any of my coursework be moved to the D2L System?

USG - Information Technology Services (ITS) is planning on moving two years of data from the existing Vista system into the D2L system. Because of the amount of data being moved, this process will take some time. The data being moved into D2L is course content, no student work will be migrated into the new system.

How will coursework from Vista be moved to D2L?

Coursework will be moved en masse by USG - Information Technology Services (ITS) in Athens. It may take up to 2-3 months for one entire semester's worth of data to be moved. The following semesters have been migrated:

• Summer 2012
• Spring 2012
• Fall 2011
• Summer 2011
• Spring 2011

When will course material from Fall 2012 be moved over to D2L?

Course material will be moved en masse by USG - Information Technology Services (ITS) in Athens beginning December 18, 2012. The process will take approximately 3 weeks. Recommendation from USG is not to rely on Fall 2012 content for use beginning Spring 2013 semester.

Will there be training for faculty on how to use D2L?

Yes, IT Services, Office of Online & Blended Learning and USG will offer training opportunties.

Will I get any assistance getting my classes’ setup for D2L?

IT Services will offer "Customize myCourse for Spring 2013" training session,  open sessions or schedule individual appointment for assistance.

Will student information (grades, discussion posts, assessment scores) be moved to D2L?

No student coursework will be migrated into the D2L system.

How do I access student data in Vista?

Please contact IT Services, students and instructors no longer have access to Vista. 

How long will Vista be online?

Vista will be decommissioned in December 2013. Faculty will no longer be able to teach in the system after Fall Semester 2012. Faculty access to the system will be disabled on February 22, 2013

When is the last semester I can teach in Vista?

Fall semester 2012 will the last semester that the system will be used for actual teaching. USG - Information Technology Services (ITS) will not import any data into the Vista system after that.

When will I be able to access D2L to work on my courses?

October 2012

What can I do to prepare for the migration to D2L?

Start backing up your grade books in the Vista sections you have already taught, begin looking at the classes you are teaching and make sure you know where the content you are currently (or have been using) is stored at.  Plan on setting some time aside before the go-live time to work on getting your classes prepared in the new system.

Will I still be able to use my Wimba files in D2L?

Armstrong will not be using Wimba next semester and all Wimba archived events should be stored in iTunes U by faculty. Collaborate is replacing Wimba and will not be migrated to D2L Spring 2013.  IT Services can assist faculty in learning how to move archived events to iTunes U. 

How do I get support for D2L?

IT Services Helpdesk and GeorgiaVIEW D2L Help Center are available to support faculty and students.

IT Services Helpdesk
Tech Center - http://techcenter.armstrong.edu
Use Port username and password information to access.
Email: helpdesk@armstrong.edu
Phone: 912.344.2518
Fax: 912.344.3434

Hours of Operation:
Monday - Thursday  -  8:30 a.m. - 9 p.m.,
Friday 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.,
Saturday 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
The IT Services Helpdesk is closed during all observed University holidays.

USG Support
GeorgiaView D2L Help Center: http://D2Lhelp.view.usg.edu
This D2L Help Center is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.