D2L Course Image Standards

Background #

The Course Image appears at the top of each Course Home page and in the corresponding course tile on the My Home page.  D2L automatically supplies each course with an image from their library.  Most of the time, it will be a picture of nature or architecture.

example of course image. Photo of bridge

It’s important to use an image that reflects well upon PPSC. To assist faculty in selecting images, PPSC has created this Course Image Standard.  However, faculty are always welcome to leave the default image D2L supplies.

Technical Standards #

  • PPSC instructors can select images from the D2L library or upload their own images.
  • All standard image file types are supported.
  • Course images should be 2400 x 960 pixels. This ensures they can be resized to look great in different contexts and on different devices.

Content Standards #

  • Images shouldn’t contain text. The title of the course is often overlaid on top of the image and any text in the image can cause confusion.
  • Images should reflect the course, content or community of PPSC.
  • Images should not promote any political or religious position. (A religious symbol may be appropriate for a Religions course, but not for say, Biology or Math.)
  • Images should not discriminate or harass on the basis of sex/gender, race. color, age, creed, national or ethnic origin, physical or mental disability, veteran status, pregnancy status, religion or sexual orientation.
  • Instructor must have copyright and legal permission to use the image.

Example Cases #

Good Examples #

  • Image of PPSC campus or classroom
  • Image of Garden of the Gods in a Geology class.
  • Image of a test tube in a Chemistry course.
  • Image of the Colorado State Capital in a Political Science class.

Bad Examples #

  • Image of children under the age of 13 without parent(s) permission
  • Image of instructor’s family (Can be added to Instructor Profile)
  • Image of a political candidate currently running for office
  • Image of textbook with title in plain view.

How to Change the Course Image #

Navigate to your course and hover your mouse over the current course image. You should see an icon with three horizontal dots pop up. Click on that and then click “Change Image”.

screenshot of change image link after hovering over course image

From here, you can upload an image you’ve found elsewhere, or you can use D2L’s search bar to find a free-to-use course image.