D2L Brightspace: Checklist

Overview

A checklist is a way to highlight important or required assignments, readings, or other items students need to complete. Each checklist contains one or more categories in which checklist items are grouped. For example, the checklist might include categories like Readings and Written Assignments with several assignments to complete in those categories.

Create a checklist

1. Navigate to the Checklist tool (as of May 10, 2025, Course Tools then Course Admin).
2. Select New Checklist.
3. Enter the Name of the checklist and optionally add a description.
4. Select Save.
5. Create at least one category for the checklist items. Select New Category, enter a Name, and select Save.

Note: You may use categories to organize your items, but don’t forget your items! Items are the things that students check off to complete. Categories are simply the headings.

6. Select New Item to add an item.
   • If you created multiple categories, select the desired category.
   • Enter a Name for the item.
   • To add a due date select the Due Date checkbox and enter a date and time it is due.
   • To display this date in the course calendar, check the Display in Calendar checkbox.
   • Select Save or select Save and New to automatically begin creating another checklist item.
      
7. Repeat step 6 until you’ve added all items for the checklist.
8. When finished, select Save and Close.

Preview a checklist

1. Navigate to the Checklist tool.
2. Open the context menu for a specific Checklist and select Preview in a new window.

Reorder checklists

Reorder items and categories in a checklist

1. Navigate to the Checklist tool.
2. Select the checklist you want to reorder .
3. Select the Reorder button.
4. On the Reorder Checklist page, change the values in the Sort Order drop-down lists for the categories or items.
5. Select Save.

Reorder all checklists

1. Navigate to the Checklist tool.
2. On the Checklists page, select the More Actions button, then select Reorder.
3. On the Reorder Checklists page, change the values in the Sort Order menus.
4. Select Save.

Add a Checklist to Content

Because Checklist has been removed from the default navigation, the only way students will have access to your checklists is if you add them to your course Content.

1. Navigate to Content and select the module to which you will add the checklist
2. Select Existing Activities
3. From the dropdown menu, select Checklist
4. Select the Checklist you wish to add; it will appear at the bottom of the module content

Additional Resources

• Most of this content is directly pulled from MinnState’s knowledge article: Checklists: Create a Checklist (KA #1087) which is only accessible to Instructors.
• If you have any question, feel free to reach out to Academic Technology at 651.793.1240, email at service.center@metrostate.edu, or ask a question through our service portal.