This latest quick tip is another Excel one. If your data has headers, you can quickly turn those headers into filters. Even if your data does not have headers, you can quickly add them. Here’s how:

1. Select the entire row with your headers (typically the first row)
2. Select the Data Tab
3. In the Ribbon, click on Filter
4. Excel will automatically create filters, using unique data in each column as options
5. Click on the triangle icon to the right of the header you want to filter
6. Click on the checkbox to the left of Select All to deselect all of the options
7. Then, go down the list and select the options you want to filter by
8. Click on OK
9. Excel will automatically filter the data based on your criteria. If needed, multiple filters can be used at once
10. To reset the filter, click on the symbol to the right of the header with the filter
11. In the menu that appears, click on Clear Filter from “Header Name”

Click on the image below (or here) to view the tutorial video:

For more tutorials on Excel and other Microsoft Office products, visit the Microsoft Office Support Wiki Page.

Submitted by: Tyler Kron-Piatek, Instructional Designer, COLI

With midterms coming up, it may be useful to review these features of D2L Quizzes and Dropboxes.

D2L Quizzes provides a robust tool to grade quizzes easier and quicker. Some features can help prevent cheating to a degree, like basic question randomization and advanced question randomization. If you want to use questions from a previous exam or quiz, the Question Library lets you copy questions to the mid-term. Additionally, for faster grading, you can connect the Quiz to the gradebook. You can also have your students sign an Academic Integrity Pledge before continuing to the Midterm. Customize the Quiz Result display to show students what questions they got and see where they need to brush up on their studying.

Please note that if you allow automatic grading of your exam, D2L will not automatically grade written responses. Those need to be graded manually. Inform your students that the grade they have immediately after completing the exam is not reflective of their overall grade. If you want to see all of the tutorials on the D2L Quiz tool that COLI has compiled, check the Online Quizzes and Exams in the Quizzes Tool Section.

D2L Dropboxes are a great way to receive student work in various formats but more notably PDFs, Microsoft Office files, JPGs or PNGs. You can also restrict the types of files the dropbox will accept. Attach the dropbox to the grade book or use a D2L Rubric and attach it to the dropbox for faster grading.

For more information on D2L Dropboxes, check out the Collecting Assignments in Dropboxes Section. For tutorials on D2L Rubrics, check out the Using Rubrics Section. If you would prefer, you can also sign up for COLI workshops or sign up for a Consultation with one of COLI’s staff members.

COLI has compiled other resources on the various tool sets in D2L. Check the D2L Self-paced Training for Faculty and Staff Wiki page.

Submitted by: Tyler Kron-Piatek, Instructional Designer, COLI