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How to Use OneNote Class Notebooks with D2L for Student Portfolios

Natalie Taylor Oct 1, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user is looking for a way to integrate OneNote Class Notebooks with the D2L platform so that students can carry their notes, articles, videos, and assignments into future classes as a continuous portfolio.

How to Integrate OneNote Class Notebooks with D2L for Portfolios

Product: Microsoft OneNote
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Setting up a learning management ecosystem that links D2L (Brightspace) courses with OneNote to facilitate long-term student portfolios.
Observed behavior: Microsoft lacks official integration docs for D2L since it is a third-party platform, and a single Class Notebook cannot be assigned to multiple classes, complicating portfolio continuity.

Before you start

Ensure you have instructor or administrator access to your D2L (Brightspace) course shell and an active Microsoft 365 Education account before configuring any external tools.

Solution 1Recommended

Use Custom LTI Links to Embed OneNote in D2L

Since Microsoft does not provide native integration documentation for D2L, you must rely on external learning tool (LTI) links or university-specific setups to connect your Class Notebook to your D2L course.

Many universities create custom integration guidelines for adding Microsoft tools to D2L. By treating OneNote as an External Learning Tool, you can provide seamless access for your students within the D2L interface.

Generate the OneNote Link

Log into your Microsoft 365 account, open the OneNote Class Notebook you created for the specific course, and copy its shareable web link.

Add an External Learning Tool in D2L

Navigate to your D2L course shell, go to 'Content', select a module, and click on 'Existing Activities'. Choose 'External Learning Tools' from the dropdown menu.

Insert the Notebook Link

Select 'Create New LTI Link' (or follow your institution's specific naming convention), paste the OneNote URL you copied earlier, and publish it for student access.

Use Custom LTI Links to Embed OneNote in D2L

Institutional Guidance: Because D2L setups vary by institution, it is highly recommended to consult your university's IT or instructional design department for specific LTI integration parameters.

Solution 2

Maintain Separate Portfolios to Overcome Class Limits

Because a single Class Notebook cannot span multiple classes, instructors must create separate notebooks for each class and have students maintain an independent portfolio.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I assign a single OneNote Class Notebook to multiple D2L courses?

No, Microsoft restricts Class Notebooks to a single class. You must create a separate notebook for each D2L course or section you teach.

How can students keep a digital portfolio across different semesters?

Since Class Notebooks are tied to individual classes, students should create a personal OneNote Notebook and manually copy their important sections, assignments, and notes from the Class Notebook into their personal portfolio at the end of each term.

Why isn't there official Microsoft documentation for OneNote and D2L integration?

D2L (Brightspace) is a third-party Learning Management System. Microsoft primarily provides official integration documentation for its native platforms like Teams. Integration with D2L usually relies on standard LTI (Learning Tools Interoperability) setups managed by individual universities.

Is it possible to send the same assignment to multiple separate Class Notebooks?

Yes. Even though you must create separate notebooks for each class, you can use the 'Cross-Notebook Distribution' feature in the OneNote desktop application to distribute the same assignment page to multiple notebooks simultaneously.

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