diff --git a/course/externallib.php b/course/externallib.php
index 73370acc2db..802cfd2fee5 100644
--- a/course/externallib.php
+++ b/course/externallib.php
@@ -2654,6 +2654,8 @@ class core_course_external extends external_api {
     /**
      * Returns description of method parameters
      *
+     * @deprecated since 3.3
+     *
      * @return external_function_parameters
      * @since Moodle 3.2
      */
@@ -2668,6 +2670,8 @@ class core_course_external extends external_api {
     /**
      * Return activities overview for the given courses.
      *
+     * @deprecated since 3.3
+     *
      * @param array $courseids a list of course ids
      * @return array of warnings and the activities overview
      * @since Moodle 3.2
@@ -2725,6 +2729,8 @@ class core_course_external extends external_api {
     /**
      * Returns description of method result value
      *
+     * @deprecated since 3.3
+     *
      * @return external_description
      * @since Moodle 3.2
      */
@@ -2751,6 +2757,15 @@ class core_course_external extends external_api {
         );
     }
 
+    /**
+     * Marking the method as deprecated.
+     *
+     * @return bool
+     */
+    public static function get_activities_overview_is_deprecated() {
+        return true;
+    }
+
     /**
      * Returns description of method parameters
      *
diff --git a/course/tests/externallib_test.php b/course/tests/externallib_test.php
index 9616ca2bf15..83f56997cf4 100644
--- a/course/tests/externallib_test.php
+++ b/course/tests/externallib_test.php
@@ -1823,6 +1823,7 @@ class core_course_externallib_testcase extends externallib_advanced_testcase {
         $courses = array($course1->id , $course2->id);
 
         $result = core_course_external::get_activities_overview($courses);
+        $this->assertDebuggingCalledCount(8);
         $result = external_api::clean_returnvalue(core_course_external::get_activities_overview_returns(), $result);
 
         // There should be one entry for course1, and no others.
diff --git a/lib/db/services.php b/lib/db/services.php
index 5ff30cdef28..7db4633dadd 100644
--- a/lib/db/services.php
+++ b/lib/db/services.php
@@ -330,7 +330,8 @@ $functions = array(
         'classname' => 'core_course_external',
         'methodname' => 'get_activities_overview',
         'classpath' => 'course/externallib.php',
-        'description' => 'Return activities overview for the given courses.',
+        'description' => '** DEPRECATED ** Please do not call this function any more.
+                          Return activities overview for the given courses.',
         'type' => 'read',
         'services' => array(MOODLE_OFFICIAL_MOBILE_SERVICE),
     ),
diff --git a/lib/upgrade.txt b/lib/upgrade.txt
index 1f7edcfdb01..afacc0b0cb7 100644
--- a/lib/upgrade.txt
+++ b/lib/upgrade.txt
@@ -68,6 +68,7 @@ information provided here is intended especially for developers.
 * New adhoc task refresh_mod_calendar_events_task that updates existing calendar events of modules.
 * New 'priority' column for the event table to determine which event to show in case of events with user and group overrides.
 * Webservices core_course_search_courses and core_course_get_courses_by_field will always return the sortorder field.
+* core_course_external::get_activities_overview has been deprecated. Please do not call this function any more.
 
 === 3.2 ===
 
diff --git a/mod/assign/lib.php b/mod/assign/lib.php
index 7852c4024b9..6fefd9efdf6 100644
--- a/mod/assign/lib.php
+++ b/mod/assign/lib.php
@@ -484,14 +484,17 @@ function assign_page_type_list($pagetype, $parentcontext, $currentcontext) {
  * Print an overview of all assignments
  * for the courses.
  *
+ * @deprecated since 3.3
+ *
  * @param mixed $courses The list of courses to print the overview for
  * @param array $htmlarray The array of html to return
- *
  * @return true
  */
 function assign_print_overview($courses, &$htmlarray) {
     global $CFG, $DB;
 
+    debugging('The function assign_print_overview() is now deprecated.', DEBUG_DEVELOPER);
+
     if (empty($courses) || !is_array($courses) || count($courses) == 0) {
         return true;
     }
@@ -624,6 +627,8 @@ function assign_print_overview($courses, &$htmlarray) {
  * This api generates html to be displayed to students in print overview section, related to their submission status of the given
  * assignment.
  *
+ * @deprecated since 3.3
+ *
  * @param array $mysubmissions list of submissions of current user indexed by assignment id.
  * @param string $sqlassignmentids sql clause used to filter open assignments.
  * @param array $assignmentidparams sql params used to filter open assignments.
@@ -636,6 +641,8 @@ function assign_get_mysubmission_details_for_print_overview(&$mysubmissions, $sq
                                                             $assignment) {
     global $USER, $DB;
 
+    debugging('The function assign_get_mysubmission_details_for_print_overview() is now deprecated.', DEBUG_DEVELOPER);
+
     if ($assignment->nosubmissions) {
         // Offline assignment. No need to display alerts for offline assignments.
         return false;
@@ -710,6 +717,8 @@ function assign_get_mysubmission_details_for_print_overview(&$mysubmissions, $sq
  * This api generates html to be displayed to teachers in print overview section, related to the grading status of the given
  * assignment's submissions.
  *
+ * @deprecated since 3.3
+ *
  * @param array $unmarkedsubmissions list of submissions of that are currently unmarked indexed by assignment id.
  * @param string $sqlassignmentids sql clause used to filter open assignments.
  * @param array $assignmentidparams sql params used to filter open assignments.
@@ -722,6 +731,9 @@ function assign_get_mysubmission_details_for_print_overview(&$mysubmissions, $sq
 function assign_get_grade_details_for_print_overview(&$unmarkedsubmissions, $sqlassignmentids, $assignmentidparams,
                                                      $assignment, $context) {
     global $DB;
+
+    debugging('The function assign_get_grade_details_for_print_overview() is now deprecated.', DEBUG_DEVELOPER);
+
     if (!isset($unmarkedsubmissions)) {
         // Build up and array of unmarked submissions indexed by assignment id/ userid
         // for use where the user has grading rights on assignment.
diff --git a/mod/assign/tests/lib_test.php b/mod/assign/tests/lib_test.php
index 7ef88c2885f..a67160203c5 100644
--- a/mod/assign/tests/lib_test.php
+++ b/mod/assign/tests/lib_test.php
@@ -125,6 +125,7 @@ class mod_assign_lib_testcase extends mod_assign_base_testcase {
         $this->setUser($this->students[0]);
         $overview = array();
         assign_print_overview($courses, $overview);
+        $this->assertDebuggingCalledCount(3);
         $this->assertEquals(1, count($overview));
         $this->assertRegExp('/.*Assignment 4.*/', $overview[$this->course->id]['assign']); // No valid submission.
         $this->assertNotRegExp('/.*Assignment 1.*/', $overview[$this->course->id]['assign']); // Has valid submission.
@@ -135,11 +136,13 @@ class mod_assign_lib_testcase extends mod_assign_base_testcase {
 
         $overview = array();
         assign_print_overview($courses, $overview);
+        $this->assertDebuggingCalledCount(3);
         $this->assertEquals(0, count($overview));
 
         $this->setUser($this->teachers[0]);
         $overview = array();
         assign_print_overview($courses, $overview);
+        $this->assertDebuggingCalledCount(3);
         $this->assertEquals(1, count($overview));
         // Submissions without a grade.
         $this->assertRegExp('/.*Assignment 4.*/', $overview[$this->course->id]['assign']);
@@ -148,6 +151,7 @@ class mod_assign_lib_testcase extends mod_assign_base_testcase {
         $this->setUser($this->editingteachers[0]);
         $overview = array();
         assign_print_overview($courses, $overview);
+        $this->assertDebuggingCalledCount(3);
         $this->assertEquals(1, count($overview));
         // Submissions without a grade.
         $this->assertRegExp('/.*Assignment 4.*/', $overview[$this->course->id]['assign']);
@@ -167,6 +171,7 @@ class mod_assign_lib_testcase extends mod_assign_base_testcase {
 
         $overview = array();
         assign_print_overview($courses, $overview);
+        $this->assertDebuggingCalledCount(3);
         $this->assertEquals(1, count($overview));
         // Now assignment 4 should not show up.
         $this->assertNotRegExp('/.*Assignment 4.*/', $overview[$this->course->id]['assign']);
@@ -175,6 +180,7 @@ class mod_assign_lib_testcase extends mod_assign_base_testcase {
         $this->setUser($this->editingteachers[0]);
         $overview = array();
         assign_print_overview($courses, $overview);
+        $this->assertDebuggingCalledCount(3);
         $this->assertEquals(1, count($overview));
         // Now assignment 4 should not show up.
         $this->assertNotRegExp('/.*Assignment 4.*/', $overview[$this->course->id]['assign']);
@@ -186,6 +192,7 @@ class mod_assign_lib_testcase extends mod_assign_base_testcase {
         $this->setUser($this->students[0]);
         $overview = array();
         assign_print_overview($courses, $overview);
+        $this->assertDebuggingCalledCount(4);
         $this->assertEquals(0, count($overview));
     }
 
diff --git a/mod/chat/lib.php b/mod/chat/lib.php
index cedafaa93c6..7b9e3795e81 100644
--- a/mod/chat/lib.php
+++ b/mod/chat/lib.php
@@ -1119,6 +1119,8 @@ function chat_get_post_actions() {
 }
 
 /**
+ * @deprecated since 3.3
+ *
  * @global object
  * @global object
  * @param array $courses
@@ -1127,6 +1129,8 @@ function chat_get_post_actions() {
 function chat_print_overview($courses, &$htmlarray) {
     global $USER, $CFG;
 
+    debugging('The function chat_print_overview() is now deprecated.', DEBUG_DEVELOPER);
+
     if (empty($courses) || !is_array($courses) || count($courses) == 0) {
         return array();
     }
diff --git a/mod/choice/lib.php b/mod/choice/lib.php
index d3020dbf8f5..30cb2f5360d 100644
--- a/mod/choice/lib.php
+++ b/mod/choice/lib.php
@@ -918,6 +918,9 @@ function choice_page_type_list($pagetype, $parentcontext, $currentcontext) {
  * Prints choice name, due date and attempt information on
  * choice activities that have a deadline that has not already passed
  * and it is available for completing.
+ *
+ * @deprecated since 3.3
+ *
  * @uses CONTEXT_MODULE
  * @param array $courses An array of course objects to get choice instances from.
  * @param array $htmlarray Store overview output array( course ID => 'choice' => HTML output )
@@ -925,6 +928,8 @@ function choice_page_type_list($pagetype, $parentcontext, $currentcontext) {
 function choice_print_overview($courses, &$htmlarray) {
     global $USER, $DB, $OUTPUT;
 
+    debugging('The function choice_print_overview() is now deprecated.', DEBUG_DEVELOPER);
+
     if (empty($courses) || !is_array($courses) || count($courses) == 0) {
         return;
     }
diff --git a/mod/forum/lib.php b/mod/forum/lib.php
index 8c5ec559005..e26deede178 100644
--- a/mod/forum/lib.php
+++ b/mod/forum/lib.php
@@ -1323,12 +1323,16 @@ function forum_user_complete($course, $user, $mod, $forum) {
 /**
  * Filters the forum discussions according to groups membership and config.
  *
+ * @deprecated since 3.3
+ *
  * @since  Moodle 2.8, 2.7.1, 2.6.4
  * @param  array $discussions Discussions with new posts array
  * @return array Forums with the number of new posts
  */
 function forum_filter_user_groups_discussions($discussions) {
 
+    debugging('The function forum_filter_user_groups_discussions() is now deprecated.', DEBUG_DEVELOPER);
+
     // Group the remaining discussions posts by their forumid.
     $filteredforums = array();
 
@@ -1384,6 +1388,8 @@ function forum_is_user_group_discussion(cm_info $cm, $discussiongroupid) {
 }
 
 /**
+ * @deprecated since 3.3
+ *
  * @global object
  * @global object
  * @global object
@@ -1393,6 +1399,8 @@ function forum_is_user_group_discussion(cm_info $cm, $discussiongroupid) {
 function forum_print_overview($courses,&$htmlarray) {
     global $USER, $CFG, $DB, $SESSION;
 
+    debugging('The function forum_print_overview() is now deprecated.', DEBUG_DEVELOPER);
+
     if (empty($courses) || !is_array($courses) || count($courses) == 0) {
         return array();
     }
diff --git a/mod/forum/tests/lib_test.php b/mod/forum/tests/lib_test.php
index 72c1526059a..88eccabd7c7 100644
--- a/mod/forum/tests/lib_test.php
+++ b/mod/forum/tests/lib_test.php
@@ -2448,6 +2448,7 @@ class mod_forum_lib_testcase extends advanced_testcase {
         }
         $results = array();
         forum_print_overview($courses, $results);
+        $this->assertDebuggingCalledCount(2);
 
         // There should be one entry for course1, and no others.
         $this->assertCount(1, $results);
@@ -2499,6 +2500,7 @@ class mod_forum_lib_testcase extends advanced_testcase {
         $this->setUser($viewer1->id);
         $results = array();
         forum_print_overview($courses, $results);
+        $this->assertDebuggingCalledCount(2);
 
         // There should be one entry for course1.
         $this->assertCount(1, $results);
@@ -2510,6 +2512,7 @@ class mod_forum_lib_testcase extends advanced_testcase {
         $this->setUser($viewer2->id);
         $results = array();
         forum_print_overview($courses, $results);
+        $this->assertDebuggingCalledCount(2);
 
         // There should be one entry for course1.
         $this->assertCount(0, $results);
@@ -2555,6 +2558,7 @@ class mod_forum_lib_testcase extends advanced_testcase {
         $this->setUser($viewer->id);
         $results = array();
         forum_print_overview($courses, $results);
+        $this->assertDebuggingCalledCount(2);
 
         if ($hasresult) {
             // There should be one entry for course1.
@@ -2620,6 +2624,7 @@ class mod_forum_lib_testcase extends advanced_testcase {
         $this->setUser($viewer1->id);
         $results = array();
         forum_print_overview($courses, $results);
+        $this->assertDebuggingCalledCount(2);
 
         if ($hasresult) {
             // There should be one entry for course1.
@@ -2636,6 +2641,7 @@ class mod_forum_lib_testcase extends advanced_testcase {
         $this->setUser($viewer2->id);
         $results = array();
         forum_print_overview($courses, $results);
+        $this->assertDebuggingCalledCount(2);
 
         // There should be one entry for course1.
         $this->assertCount(0, $results);
diff --git a/mod/lesson/lib.php b/mod/lesson/lib.php
index 8f7526e9ed1..687db47d738 100644
--- a/mod/lesson/lib.php
+++ b/mod/lesson/lib.php
@@ -527,6 +527,8 @@ function lesson_user_complete($course, $user, $mod, $lesson) {
  * lessons that have a deadline that has not already passed
  * and it is available for taking.
  *
+ * @deprecated since 3.3
+ *
  * @global object
  * @global stdClass
  * @global object
@@ -538,6 +540,8 @@ function lesson_user_complete($course, $user, $mod, $lesson) {
 function lesson_print_overview($courses, &$htmlarray) {
     global $USER, $CFG, $DB, $OUTPUT;
 
+    debugging('The function lesson_print_overview() is now deprecated.', DEBUG_DEVELOPER);
+
     if (!$lessons = get_all_instances_in_courses('lesson', $courses)) {
         return;
     }
diff --git a/mod/quiz/lib.php b/mod/quiz/lib.php
index b91c369719e..c644febdef0 100644
--- a/mod/quiz/lib.php
+++ b/mod/quiz/lib.php
@@ -1543,11 +1543,17 @@ function quiz_reset_userdata($data) {
 
 /**
  * Prints quiz summaries on MyMoodle Page
+ *
+ * @deprecated since 3.3
+ *
  * @param arry $courses
  * @param array $htmlarray
  */
 function quiz_print_overview($courses, &$htmlarray) {
     global $USER, $CFG;
+
+    debugging('The function quiz_print_overview() is now deprecated.', DEBUG_DEVELOPER);
+
     // These next 6 Lines are constant in all modules (just change module name).
     if (empty($courses) || !is_array($courses) || count($courses) == 0) {
         return array();
diff --git a/mod/scorm/lib.php b/mod/scorm/lib.php
index b5a5bd09ccf..d4ff57ee15a 100644
--- a/mod/scorm/lib.php
+++ b/mod/scorm/lib.php
@@ -1088,6 +1088,8 @@ function scorm_debug_log_remove($type, $scoid) {
 /**
  * writes overview info for course_overview block - displays upcoming scorm objects that have a due date
  *
+ * @deprecated since 3.3
+ *
  * @param object $type - type of log(aicc,scorm12,scorm13) used as prefix for filename
  * @param array $htmlarray
  * @return mixed
@@ -1095,6 +1097,8 @@ function scorm_debug_log_remove($type, $scoid) {
 function scorm_print_overview($courses, &$htmlarray) {
     global $USER, $CFG;
 
+    debugging('The function scorm_print_overview() is now deprecated.', DEBUG_DEVELOPER);
+
     if (empty($courses) || !is_array($courses) || count($courses) == 0) {
         return array();
     }