myClass Help
We are thrilled to announce that UFV will be transitioning from Blackboard to Brightspace (created by a Canadian company D2L: Desire2Learn) as our new learning management system (LMS).
This transition is part of our ongoing commitment to enhance your learning and teaching experience with the latest and most effective educational technologies available.
Celebrating UFV's 50th anniversary, we honor our rich history while paving the way for future generations. As we work together to redefine and optimize UFV's educational experience, this initiative aligns with our ongoing commitment to innovation and excellence.
Learn more about the background and goal of the LMS initiative »
Planned go-live date:
August 25th, 2025
Why Brightspace?
User-friendly interface: Brightspace offers a more intuitive and streamlined interface, making it easier for you to navigate and find what you need.
Enhanced features: Enjoy a variety of new features designed to support your learning and teaching, including advanced analytics, personalized learning paths, and improved mobile access.
Better collaboration: Brightspace provides enhanced tools for communication and collaboration, helping you stay connected with your peers and instructors.
Continuous improvement: With regular updates and improvements, Brightspace ensures that we stay at the forefront of educational technology.
What to expect
Seamless transition: We are working hard to ensure a smooth transition with minimal disruption to teaching and learning.
Training and support: Comprehensive training sessions and resources will be available to help you get acquainted with Brightspace. Our support team will be on hand to assist with any questions or concerns.
Feedback welcome: Your feedback is invaluable to us. We encourage you to share your thoughts and experiences as we embark on this transition together.
What's new?
Preparing for the implementation
As we prepare for the migration to Brightspace, it is essential that we optimize course content to ensure a smooth migration process. When migrating courses from Blackboard Learn, only the content will be transferred. We anticipate that you may have some questions.
What are we doing?
Our team is actively working to reduce course sizes across the board. By doing so, we aim to achieve the following:
Efficient migration: Smaller course sizes facilitate a seamless transition to the new LMS, minimizing any disruptions during the migration process.
Improved performance: Optimized courses load faster, enhance user experience, and contribute to a more efficient learning environment.
Compliance: Managing course sizes aligns with best practices and helps avoid potential issues related to storage limitations.
Learn more about who is involved and our commitment to success »
What can you do to prepare for the migration from Blackboard to Brightspace?
We kindly request your cooperation in reviewing your course materials. Consider the following steps:
Evaluate content: Assess whether all files and resources within your courses are necessary. Remove any outdated or redundant materials.
Use Kaltura myMedia: Whenever possible, upload videos to Kaltura myMedia rather than uploading large files directly to Blackboard. Learn how to upload and publish to Kaltura myMedia [PDF].
Reorganize your course content area and content folders: Brightspace has 4 levels of folders and files. If your course has more than three nested content folders (i.e., a content folder within a content folder within a content folder in the side menu), content within the third nested folder will not be imported to Brightspace. You will need to adjust your structure to two nested folders or fewer.
What's next?
Roadmap and timeline
Phase 1: requirements gathering
-
Collecting criteria through feedback from the focus groups (faculty and students) Completed: 2023
-
Request for Proposals sent out to LMS vendor Completed: Mar 4, 2023
Phase 2: vendor demos
-
Evaluate Negotiated Request for Proposals (NRFP) responses and select top 3 LMS vendors Completed: April 2024
-
Preparing demo scripts for vendors and communicate demo attendance with the focus groups Completed: March/April 2024
-
Vendor script/briefing — Host vendor briefing sessions to provide an overview of the project, demos with their technical team for admin, faculty and students Completed: March/April 2024
Phase 3: vendor selection
-
Evaluate vendor proposals based on predefined criteria, including functionality, technical specifications, implementation plan, and cost through feedback from the focus groups Completed: June 2024
-
Provide a recommendation for vendor selection based on a thorough evaluation of proposals and feedback from the focus groups to ETGC and Provost & Senate Completed: July/August 2024
Phase 4: contract finalization
-
Finalize terms and conditions with the selected vendor to ensure a smooth implementation Completed: September/October 2024
-
Collaborate with the selected vendor to create a detailed project plan, including timelines, milestones, and resource requirements Completed: October 2024
Phase 5: implementation planning (current)
-
Develop a comprehensive training plan for faculty, staff, and administrators. Start UFV training and TLC support sessions October/December 2024
-
Complete integrations and course migrations with Brightspace January/March 2025
-
Communicate and promote Brightspace to UFV March/April 2025
Phase 6: launch
-
Full launch of Brightspace Summer 2025
-
Facilitate feedback sessions with end-users to gather input on Brightspace implementation Summer 2025
Questions?
Get in touch
Stay up to date
Bookmark this page and check in regularly to learn about the latest developments. Here, you can track the progress of the project and stay informed about any updates or changes.
Contact us
Do you have questions or wish to provide feedback on the project? Email us at LMSreviewteam@ufv.ca. We value your input and are here to assist you throughout the process.