Coming Summer 2026: New Content Experience for Students in D2L Brightspace

Overview

Starting with summer 2026 courses, students will have the New Content Experience in their summer courses and beyond.

With the New Content Experience in Content, students can expect new features and some changes to their experience with navigation and interacting with Content. Learn more about the changes, what's no longer available, and some commonly asked questions

What is "Classic" Content vs. New Content Experience

The New Content Experience offers a clean, minimalist design for students navigating and interacting the materials. The New Content Experience is the new experience compared to “Classic Content”, the previous experience in the Content tool.

From the student's perspective, the Content tool as it exists today, sometimes referred to as "Classic Content"

 

From the student's perspective, the New Content Experience in the Content tool

Functionality Comparison: Classic vs. New Content Experience

In the New Content Experience, students can still do most of what they were doing in the Classic Content. However, a few things have shifted around for students. Here is a list of things that have changed to help you find your way:

Action or Feature

Where It Was in Classic

Where It Is in New Experience

Overview

Above table of contents

Top of module list (only displays if your instructor added content)

Bookmarks

Above table of contents

Removed feature

Course Schedule

Above table of contents

Removed feature

Table of Contents

Table of Contents link/page in left-side navigation

Left-side navigation - no longer a dedicated page

Download a module
(to a zipped file)
Select a module >> under module title menu, select Download >> wait for file to download to your device

Select a module >>
select download icon >> wait for file to download to your device

Print a module

Select a module >> select print >> select from browser's print options in dialog to print the page

Select a module >> open browser's settings >> select print > select from browser's print options to print the page

Review dates & restrictions for a module

Select a module >> review the date restrictions listed under the module's title

Select a module >> hover over or press on the date restrictions listed under the module's title

View a topic (webpage)

Select a module >>
select a topic title

Select a module >>
select a topic title

Review the topic description

Select a module >> review the description under the topic's title, or select the topic's title and scroll down under the topic to review the description Select a module >> review the description above the topic

Download a topic (webpage)

Select a module >>
select a topic title >> select Download button in document window or scroll down to select Download button

Select a module >>
select a topic title >> select Download button

Download a topic (such as a Word, PDF, PowerPoint document)

Select a module >>
select a topic title >> select Download button in document window or scroll down to select Download button

Select a module >>
select a topic title >> select Download button

Print a topic (webpage)

Select a module >>
select a topic title >> scroll down to select Print button >> select from browser's print options in dialog to print the page

Select a module >>
select a topic title >> select from browser's print options in dialog to print the page

Print a topic (such as a Word, PDF, PowerPoint document)

Select a module >>
select a topic title >> scroll down to select Print button >> select from browser's print options in dialog to print the page

Select a module >>
select a topic title >> hover or press on the document >> select Print icon >> In new tab/window select Print icon > select from browser's print options in dialog to print the page

Open with docReader for a topic (if available at your school's site)

Select a module >>
select a topic title >> select Open with docReader button >> the page opens with the docReader

Select a module >>
select a topic title >> select Open with docReader icon >> the page opens with the docReader

Reflect in ePortfolio on a topic

Select a module >>
select a topic title >> select Reflect in ePortfolio button >> fill out title and select Add >> press close

Removed feature

Submit to an Assignment

Select a module >> select the assignment's title >> upload or complete the assignment in-line >> click Submit

Select a module >> select the assignment's title >> upload or complete the assignment in-line >> click Submit

Submit to a Discussion

Select a module >> select the discussion's title >> start a thread or reply >> click Post

Select a module >> select the discussion's title >> select Open Discussion >> start a thread or reply >> click Post

Submit an attempt at a Quiz

Select a module >> select the quiz's title >> select Start Quiz >> respond to questions in the quiz >> select Submit Quiz >> select Submit Quiz

Select a module >> select the quiz's title >> select Start Quiz >> respond to questions in the quiz >> select Submit Quiz >> select Start Quiz >> select Submit Quiz

Submit an attempt at a Survey

Select a module >> select the survey's title >> respond to questions in the survey >> select Submit Survey >> select Yes in the confirmation

Select a module >> select the survey's title >> select Open Survey >> respond to questions in the survey >> select Submit Survey >> select Yes in the confirmation

Submit an attempt at a Self Assessment

Select a module >> select the self assessment's title >> respond to questions in the self assessment >> select Done

Select a module >> select the self assessment's title >> select Open Self Assessment >> respond to questions in the self assessment >> select Done

Complete a Checklist

Select a module >> select the checklist's title >> select items to complete them Select a module >> select the checklist's title >> select Open Checklist >> select items to complete them

Submit to a Bongo Video Assignment

Select a module >> select the Bongo video assignment's title >> complete the assignment Select a module >> select the Bongo video assignment's title >> complete the assignment >> select Save
Review an ePortfolio item Select a module >> select the item's title >> select Open File 

Select a module >> select the item's title >> select Go to Activity >> select Open File

Access a Bongo Virtual Classroom topic

Select a module >> select the Bongo Virtual Classroom topic's title >> enter the classroom

Select a module >> select the Bongo Virtual Classroom topic's title >> enter the classroom

Access a Kaltura Media item topic

Select a module >> select the item's title >> play the media Select a module >> select the item's title >> play the media
Review dates & restrictions for a topic

Select a module >> select the topic's title >> review the date restrictions listed under the topic's title

Select a module >> select the topic's title >> hover over or press on the date restrictions listed under the topic's title
Topic completion mark Select a module >> check mark is listed to the right of the topic's title

Select a module >> check mark is listed under the topic's title in the Table of Contents (left-side panel)

What features are not available in the New Content Experience

D2L has been slowly building out the New Content Experience over many years (10+ years). D2L is still working on adding more functionality that currently exists in the Classic Content to make it more feasible for higher education users.

The following features and functionality are available in the Classic Content, but are not available in the New Content Experience. Note: this list is not exhaustive, and may be updated on a regular basis.

Limitations to the New Content Experience for Students

  • No Course Schedule page
  • No option to Bookmark a topic page to easily return to it at a later time
  • Future or past dated modules/pages don’t display when viewing content (This is expected to be fixed in the January 15, 2026 Brightspace release.)
  • Cannot print individual or multiple content topics in bulk (you need to use your browser’s print options instead)

Commonly asked questions

Can I turn OFF the New Content Experience in my course?

Students cannot turn off the New Content Experience. When using the New Content Experience, a student’s view of content is very similar to the instructor’s view, but the student interacts with content (they don't create/manage it). 

Is there a way to change the module colors in the New Content Experience?

No, there isn’t a way to adjust the colors. These colors may come from your school’s theme colors set for your D2L Brightspace site or are the default colors in the New Content Experience.

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