Deep Linking Content (for Grade Syncing)

What is a deep link? It is a link that directs a user to a specific item inside an app rather than a general website. Deep-linked content will have its grades synced automatically—either immediately with Live Gradebook enabled, or after the deadline in D2L has passed.

Important Rules for Deep Linking:

  • Establish links before the content is assigned to students and responses are collected.
  • Do not adjust the point value in D2L—this will scale automatically upon sync with Top Hat.
  • Do not adjust the number of attempts in D2L—leave it set to Unlimited. This setting is managed within Top Hat directly.

Deep Linking – New User Interface

  1. From the Content tab in D2L, click the blue + New Unit link and name your new unit.

    [D2L Content tab highlighting the + New Unit button]
    Image: Creating a new unit in D2L's Content tab.

  2. Give the item a title/name and press Save.

    [D2L interface for naming and saving a new unit]
    Image: Naming and saving the new unit.

  3. From the new unit you just created, select Add Existing.

    [D2L new unit interface showing the Add Existing button]
    Image: Selecting "Add Existing" in the new unit.

  4. Select the Top Hat LTI 1.3 Deep Link button.

    [D2L Add Existing menu showing the Top Hat LTI Tool selected]
    Image: Selecting the Top Hat LTI Tool.

    Note: If you have pop-up blockers enabled, select Open in new window to be directed to Top Hat and select the content.

    [Top Hat content selection window for deep linking]
    Image: Selecting the content to Deep Link.

  5. You will be taken back to D2L. Make the assignment visible to students and assign the content in Top Hat—this will complete the deep linking process.

    [Top Hat interface showing the Assign dialog for content]
    Image: Assign Content to finalize Deep Link.

For information about how to assign content, please refer to: Educator: Assigning Content to Students.

Deep Linking – Old User Interface

  1. Select Content and then click Add a module...

    [D2L Content tab highlighting the Add a module field]
    Image: Adding a new module in D2L.

  2. Give your new unit a title (e.g., "Top Hat Deep Link"). Press Save and Close.

    [D2L interface for naming and saving the new module]
    Image: Naming and saving the new module.

  3. Select Add Existing Activities and search for Top Hat LTI 1.3 Deep Link.

    Note: Your LMS admin team may have named this differently. If you are unable to locate it, please connect with your LMS team for further support.

    [D2L Add Existing Activities menu showing the search for Top Hat LTI 1.3 Deep Link]
    Image: Selecting "Top Hat LTI 1.3 Deep Link" from activities.

  4. Find and select the tool named Top Hat - LTI 1.3 [Deep Link] (your school's admin team may have titled this differently in your LMS settings).

    A new browser tab will open. If it doesn't, your browser may be blocking pop-ups. Press Open in a new window.

    [Top Hat prompt indicating the deep link tool will open in a new window]
    Image: Deep link tool launching in new window.

  5. Use the checkboxes to select the content you want to deep link to. Press Confirm and then Continue.

    [Top Hat content selection window with checkboxes for deep linking]
    Image: Selecting content to link via checkbox interface.

  6. You will be taken back to D2L. Make the assignment visible to students and assign the content in Top Hat—this will complete the deep linking process.

    [D2L Content area showing the deep linked assignment set to visible]
    Image: Deep linked assignment displayed in D2L.

    [Top Hat interface showing the Assign dialog to finalize the deep link]
    Image: Assigning content in Top Hat finalizes the Deep Link.

For information about how to assign content, please refer to: Educator: Assigning Content to Students.

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