Creator+ Tabs/Accordions

Creator+ Tabs and Accordions

Turning a Wall of Text into an Interactive Page with Tabs and Accordions

Ever open a content page and realize it’s… a lot of scrolling?

Most of us have been there. When you’re explaining an important topic, it’s easy for content to grow into one long page. Even when the writing is solid, students may skim, miss key ideas, or feel overwhelmed by how much is on the screen at once.

Tabs and Accordions in Talon (Creator+) let you keep the same content while changing how it’s organized—making it easier for students to read, navigate, and engage.


Why Use Tabs and Accordions?

These tools help you:

  • Break long pages into manageable sections

  • Reduce scrolling without removing content

  • Highlight relationships between ideas

  • Give students more control over how they move through content

In short, they help turn a wall of text into something students can actually use.

A Before-and-After Example

Before:
A single page explains an AI topic using long paragraphs covering definitions, misconceptions, ethics, vocabulary, and future implications.

After:

  • Tabs organize the core ideas (definitions, misconceptions, relevance).

  • An Accordion holds examples, vocabulary, and additional context.

The content itself hasn’t changed—only the structure has.


Tabs vs. Accordions: How to Choose

Use Tabs When…

Tabs work best for main ideas that all students should review.

They are especially useful when you want to:

  • Group related concepts together

  • Help students compare or contrast ideas

  • Organize core instructional content

Common uses for Tabs include:

  • What something is vs. what it is not

  • Key concepts or definitions

  • Weekly or thematic content sections

Use Accordions When…

Accordions are ideal for supporting or optional content.

They work well when you want to:

  • Keep the page visually clean

  • Provide examples, explanations, or reminders

  • Let students decide when they want more detail

Common uses for Accordions include:

  • Vocabulary lists

  • Examples or case studies

  • Faculty tips or clarifications

  • Review or refresher material

How to Create Tabs and Accordions in Talon

  1. Open the content page you want to edit or click Create a File.

  2. Click on the paintbrush/pencil icon. 

  3. Click Insert Element. 

  4. Select either Accordion or Tabs, or experiment with a different tool!

  5. Add a title for each tab/accordion.

  6. Add or paste your content into each space.

  7. Save and publish.

Tip: Each tab should focus on one main idea. If a tab starts getting long, it may be a sign that content could be split further.

Tip: Accordions are most effective for content that supports learning but doesn’t need to be read before students move on.
If you are wanting more detailed instructions or more information on Creator+ Tools, please visit the D2L Creator+ tutorials page.

Why This Helps Students

Reorganizing content with Tabs and Accordions can:

  • Make pages easier to scan

  • Reduce cognitive overload

  • Help students find information again later

  • Support self-paced learning

Small structural changes can have a noticeable impact on how students experience your course.

Getting Started

You don’t need to redesign an entire course to use these tools.

A good place to start is:

  • One long content page

  • One topic students often struggle with

  • One week that feels text-heavy

Start small, adjust as you go, and build from there.


Reach out to an Instructional Designer if you have questions or need support!

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