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Next-Generation Learning Management System

Next-Generation LMS Project Information and Timeline

Guiding Principles

In Spring 2023, the Office of the Provost and University Information Technologies launched a collaborative project to evaluate the necessary and desired attributes of Villanova's next learning management system (LMS). The Office of the Provost established a steering committee consisting of members of its office, the Villanova Institute of Teaching and Learning, the Office of Online Programs, the faculty chair of the Academic Policy Committee, and UNIT. We desire an LMS that is mobile friendly and supports modern pedagogical practices and teaching methods. This committee’s charge is to guide the LMS selection and implementation process.

Learn More about the Evaluation Process

Project Timeline

This timeline outlines the comprehensive steps we are taking to enhance our digital learning environment and ensure a smooth transition to Brightspace. Each phase of the project is carefully planned to address the needs of our campus community, from gathering initial feedback and evaluating potential vendors to building and training for the new system. Our goal is to provide a seamless and effective learning management system that meets the future needs of Villanova. 

Please note: Dates are subject to change and additional details will be added as they become available.

Graphic showing three phases of a project timeline with the second phase highlighted in orange to denote the current phase. Phase 1: Prepare, spanning Spring 2023 to Fall 2023, in a dark navy chevron. Phase 2: Build & Train, spanning Spring 2024 to Spring 2026, in a medium blue chevron outlined in orange. Phase 3: Launch, scheduled for Summer 2026, in a light blue chevron. The phases are presented in a connected arrow-like sequence.

The goal of Phase 1 was to gather feedback, evaluate vendors, and make a recommendation for the new LMS. This phase started in the summer of 2023 and concluded at the end of the fall. 

+-Spring 2023
  • Gather feedback from Villanova campus community.
  • Invite vendors to campus for product demos and questions.
  • Launch RFP (Request for Proposal) process to gather more robust information about the three vendors.
+-Summer 2023
  • Perform faculty pilot program to evaluate top three learning management systems.
  • Schedule meetings with the vendors to follow-up on questions surfaced in RFP.
  • Meet with other institutions about their switch to D2L Brightspace, gathering information on their experiences and processes.
+-Fall 2023
  • Update Provost, Council of Deans, and Academic Policy Committee.
  • Gather additional input from students.
  • Make recommendation to campus leadership and Board of Trustees for the learning management system (LMS) that best meets Villanova’s future needs.
  • Pursue multi-year contract with the approved vendor.
  • Kick-off discovery and design phases in partnership with selected vendor (D2L Brightspace).

This phase consists of building and integrating Brightspace with university systems, migrating content, and developing and testing a comprehensive training plan. This phase started in the spring of 2024 and will continue through the spring of 2026. 

 

+-Starting Spring 2024

Brightspace Demonstrations 

Starting in Spring 2024, the Office of the Provost will host a series of workshops for Villanova academic departments and with department chairs. These sessions will include discussions on:

  • Importance of re-designing courses in D2L Brightspace
  • Employing pedagogical best practices in re-designing courses in D2L Brightspace; previewing model courses and some of the innovative features
  • Explanation of how course content from Blackboard will be made available in D2L Brightspace.

 

+-Spring 2025 - Summer 2025
  • Migrate content from Blackboard Learn to D2L Brightspace. Migrate older material by request
    • Make migrated content available to faculty for course rebuild during Summer 2025.
  • Launch campus communication campaign to provide transparency and updates on project progress.
  • Comprehensive training and support program launches to prepare the campus community to use the new learning management system. Visit the Training and Support page for more information.
  • The Office of Online Programs, Office of the Provost, and the Deans may also identify courses that have already been highly designed in Blackboard and/or courses of significant importance to receive additional support during the transition.
+-Summer 2025

Initial Course Materials Transfer

In Summer 2025, instructors will receive access to the live D2L Brightspace environment and may begin to reimagine and build courses so that they take full advantage of the more modern tools and features offered by D2L Brightspace. By June 1, 2025, courses from Summer 2024, Fall 2024 and Spring 2025 will be placed in placeholder courses for each faculty member.  Note: instructors may also make special requests for older courses to be transferred.

+-Fall 2025 – Spring 2026

Second Wave of Course Migrations

  • By September 1, 2025, Summer 2025 courses will be available.
  • By February 1, 2026, Fall 2025 courses will be placed in a sandbox.

Brightspace Workshops & Training Materials

Starting Fall 2025, we will host a series of recurring workshops, each of which will be recorded and posted to the website with instructional content featured in both written and video formats. Workshop topics include:

  • The Basics – syllabus, gradebook, posting materials, assigning due dates to items, communications, grading and feedback
  • Employing Pedagogical Best Practices in Re-Designing your Courses (with Help on Locating your Migrated Course Content)
  • Using Discussion Boards
  • Developing and Administering Quizzes and Exams
  • Building Interactive Modules and an Exploration of the Available Tools
  • Using Timed Release/Criteria Release for Various LMS Activities
  • Using D2L Brightspace Analytics and Reporting to Monitor Student Activity

Brightspace Support Site

Workshops will be complemented by a support website featuring numerous videos/resources. This will also provide detailed guidance on how to troubleshoot items that may not transfer well from Blackboard. Additionally, the support site will provide text and video training for your use of third-party applications in Brightspace, including:

  • Ally and other accessibility tools
  • Turniitin
  • Poll Everywhere
  • Perusall
  • Respondus and Lockdown Browser
  • Yellowdig
  • Mediasite

This phase represents the official launch of Brightspace in the summer of 2026 and the full implementation of the training and support plan. 

+-Summer 2026 - Launch!

Final Wave of Course Content Transitions

  • By May 1, 2026, Spring 2026 courses will be placed in placeholder courses.

Brightspace Workshops

  • Up until (and following) the start of the Fall 2026 term, D2L Brightspace workshops will continue to ensure that instructors have every opportunity to familiarize themselves with the new LMS. We will remain responsive to training needs as they arise during the initial term of use.

UNIT Walk-in Support Service

  • To ensure that personalized support is available where needed, drop-in hours will be made available with an Instructional Designer who can help guide, inform and educate on the use of D2L Brightspace..

A Collaborative Approach

Empower & Optimize

With broad engagement from faculty and administrative personnel, Villanova assessed and evaluated the current LMS market to identify the best fit for the University's future. Our evaluation and selection considered the needs of Villanova’s entire academic community— including degree, non-degree, online and on-campus students and the faculty who teach them—and sought to optimize the value of the University’s investment.

Implement Judiciously

Our teams are simultaneously assessing the existing technology–based university systems and functions impacted by this project, including the SIS (Student Information System) and the myriad of integrated course components, such as MediaSite, VoiceThread, Respondus Lockdown Browser (LDB), and more. The goal is to maintain any critical licenses and connections where possible and to find appropriate substitutes for any others. We will work to minimize all technical disruptions to campus ahead of the summer 2026 launch.

Ease of Transition

As we embrace this significant change, we will ensure proper communications, training, and support are provided to the Villanova community so we can feel confident as we move through this transition to our next generation learning management system D2L Brightspace.