Troubleshooting Common Desire2Learn Questions

Our email address is Helpdesk@southcentral.edu - we will answer password questions through email within 24 hours Monday through Friday and on Mondays for those questions that come in over weekends.

If you need your Student ID number or have other Student Services requests, please call our Student Affairs Office directly (North Mankato campus at 800-722-9359 or 507-389-7220; Faribault campus at 800-422-0391 or 507-332-5824).

Desire2Learn Questions

If you have more in depth Desire2Learn questions you can consult the MnSCU D2L Support Services (https://d2l.custhelp.com) for assistance.

Logging In for the First Time

Internet Explorer 9.0 is the recommended browser if you are using a Windows computer. Firefox - newest version is recommended for Mac OS x computers. For a complete list of supported browsers and other computer requirements, visit the Browser & System Requirements page.

Determine your Desire2Learn Username:  

Desire2Learn USERNAME

 

This is your SCC 8-digit Student ID (including the leading zeros).

Example :

00012345

 

PASSWORD

This is initially set to your birth date in the
YYMMDD format.

* In some cases South Central Online does not have birth date information and will use the last 6 digits of your social security number as the initial password.

You will be required to create a new 8 character password the very first time you log into Desire2Learn.

Example :

The initial password for a person born on 5/20/1987 would be 870520.

 

  1. Point your browser to https://southcentral.ims.mnscu.edu/
  2. You will see the Desire2Learn Log In Screen.
  3. Enter your Desire2Learn Username and Password . Click the Log in button.

After successfully logging in and creating a new password, you will see your "My Home" page. Locate the "My Courses" widget on the middle of the page.

Click on the arrows to the right of the current term (example 20133 - Fall 2012) to expand that term. Then click on the arrows to the right of the department(s) (example Marketing) listed beneath the term to expand that department, click the linked course title(s) to open your course(s). See the example image below with the term and department expanded.

Image of My Courses Widget in D2L

Click the course name to access and view your course content, assignments, quizzes, discussions, grades, etc.

Note: If you received an ERROR at Log in, try again. if you continue to have problems please report these to South Central College Helpdesk - helpdesk@southcentral.edu.

If you have changed your password and forgotten the new password, use the "Forgot Password" link on the D2L login page and an email will be sent to your South Central College email account with a reset password link. Accessing the link will allow you to reset your D2L password.

If you are still not able to login, email the South Central College Helpdesk at helpdesk@southcentral.edu.

Browsers

A variety of web browsers will work for accessing your courses in Desire2Learn. However, for Windows users Internet Explorer versions 9.0 and for Mac OS X users the newest version of Mozilla Firefox are the recommended browsers for Desire2Learn version 10. .

Internet Explorer Logo

Microsoft Internet Explorer is Microsoft's World Wide Web browser.

Windows versions - Internet Explorer 9

 

Firefox Logo

 

Firefox is Mozilla's World Wide Web browser.

Windows and Macintosh versions



Desire2Learn Supported Browsers

For Windows OS

  • Internet Explorer version 9 *
  • Firefox - newest version*

For Macintosh OS X

  • Firefox - newest version*
  • Safari 5.1

* Recommended Browser

For a complete list of supported browsers and other computer requirements, visit the Browser & System Requirements page.

Desire2Learn System Check

Your computer's web browser is a very important tool in the online experience. Complete a Desire2Learn System Check - it is quick, easy and free and will ensure that your web browser is optimized for your online courses. This only takes a minute and will save you time and trouble later.

Basically, the Desire2Learn System Check covers these areas.

  • Your browser supports Javascript
  • Cookies are enabled
  • Your browser is fully compatible with Desire2Learn
  • Browser has a compatible Adobe Flash plug-in
  • Computer screen display meets recommended 1024 by 768 pixels
  • Browser supports Java
  • Browser supports rich content editing

Disable Pop-up Blockers

Desire2Learn courses may contain items that rely on Pop-up windows (a new window that appears in addition to the one you are viewing) when displaying certain items or features.

Pop-up blockers can be part of the web browser or a separate, third-party utility designed only to block pop-up windows. This is typically a program that someone has downloaded and installed on to the computer. Also, firewall software (designed to protect your computer from unauthorized users from accessing your computer through your internet connection) and anti-virus software frequently have a pop-up blocker options built in. Disable or turn off any form of pop-up blocker on your machine when accessing Desire2Learn courses.

For more information about specific software which make use of pop-up blockers, check the Disable Pop-up Blocker web page:

Spyware  

We recommend you use a spyware detection and removal utility to remove any spyware that may be keeping you from accessing your Desire2Learn course(s) on your computer. Spyware is particularly troublesome for Internet Explorer users, who experience a "403 Forbidden" error page when trying to access a known URL.

The link listed below offers two very good utilities for dealing with spyware. We recommend both Adaware and Spybot, utilities which you may download free.

 

Other Things That Can Interfere with D2L  

There are many browser tools and settings that can affect the functionality of Desire2Learn.

Here are some things to check if you are having issues accessing areas of Desire2Learn:

  • Third part toolbars (Google, Yahoo, MSN, etc.)
    • Disable or remove toolbars


  • Third party popup blockers
    • These should be disabled or closed


  • Security settings should be at "medium" or lower - you can configure these settings for specific sites by selecting Trusted sites
    • Tools >> Internet Options >> Security tab >> Trusted sites >> Sites


  • Privacy settings should be set to Default
    • Tools >> Internet Options >> Privacy tab


  • Internet Explorer's Popup Blocker should be disabled or settings configured to allow popups when accessing D2L
    • Tools >> Pop-up Blocker >> Pop-up Blocker Settings


  • Browser Cookies should be enabled
    • Tools >> Internet Options >> Privacy tab - set level at medium


  • Set your Temporary Internet Files to "Every visit to the page"
    • Tools >> Internet Options >> General tab >> Browsing History section >> Settings


  • Clear Temporary Internet Files
    • Tools >> Internet Options >> General tab >> Browsing History section >> Delete >> Temporary Internet Files >> Delete files

      • Other Resources

      South Central Online Technical Information and Resources page:

      Technical Skills and Computer Requirements

      For other software, hardware and Internet Service Provider issues, you need to contact the vendors directly for assistance. Many vendors do offer Help Sheets, FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) and e-mail contacts through their web sites.

      About South Central Online

      You can find information about South Central Online at http://online.southcentral.edu. This link provides basic information and answers many questions prospective students may have when considering an online course option. Feel free to explore the links on this page and other areas of the South Central Online site as well as the South Central College (SCC) site at http://southcentral.edu.

      The enrollment processes are outlined on the South Central College site at http://southcentral.edu/admissions/. If you have questions about enrollment, call our North Mankato campus at 389-7200 and ask for Student Affairs.

      Need Further Assistance?

      Contact Helpdesk@southcentral.edu

      Things to include in your email correspondence:

      • Your name
      • Your phone number
      • Your email address
      • A detailed description of the kind of issues you are having with Desire2Learn.

      We will reply to your questions through e-mail within 24 hours Monday through Friday and on Mondays for those questions that come in over weekends.

      Thank you,
      South Central Online Support Team