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eLearn is Getting a Glow Up!

Sinclair is on the move.

Our Learning Management System (LMS) is transitioning from D2L Brightspace to Canvas by Instructure. This upgrade is all about giving students, faculty, and staff a modern, easy-to-use platform that supports excellence in teaching and learning.

This page is your go-to spot for updates, resources, and ways to stay connected throughout the project.


Register for Important LMS Migration Events

Shine with us on the LMS Migration journey!
Visit CTL Events to register for:

  • Checkpoint Chats — monthly updates led by the LMS Migration team, keeping you in the loop on progress and next steps.
  • Open Labs — hands-on sessions for faculty and staff to get their courses migration-ready.

Canvas Progress + Early Wins

The Glow Up is in full swing! Following Dr. Amato’s update from a recent Town Hall, the Canvas Migration Team is excited to share progress and what’s ahead. Watch our short update video to see how the transformation is unfolding and how you can stay on track.

Watch the video and submit migration questions using the one-question survey.

Watch Video

The Glow Up Timeline

Check out the timeline for a look at what’s happening now, what’s coming next, and when your courses will make the move to Canvas.

Planning

Summer 2025 to Fall 2025

Canvas environment creation and setup

Migration planning

Training

Late Fall Term 2025

Course clean-up in D2L Brightspace

Training for pilot course coordinators and teaching faculty

Pilot

Spring Term 2026

Pilot: HIM, NEEN, PTA, BAS-HS + COM 2206 & MAT 1120

Migration of 26/SU courses

Canvas access and training for all

Fully Migrated

Summer Term 2026

All 26/SU courses offered in Canvas

Migration of 26/FA courses

Evaluation & Finalization

June 2026

Teaching shell archiving in K16

Deprecation of D2L Brightspace

Go Live 2026 Summer Term!


What the Glow Up Process Looks Like

Migration, Archival, and Special Process Requests:

  • Migrate one master (or dev) shell and all 26/SP teaching shells as part of the bulk migration process. 
    • Note: Online or multi-modality shells should be prioritzed when selecting which master or dev to migrate.
  • Request migration of additional masters, teaching shells, and community or training shells via the Canvas Migration Special Request form. 
    • Note: FlexPace and Tech Prep masters are included in the bulk migration process, and do not need to be requested.
  • Archive the last three years of teaching shells for each active course in each department as part of the standard archival process.
  • Request archival of any teaching shells or other materials that need retained for longer than three years via the Canvas Migration Special Request form.
  • Request special LMS processes to be created or replicated in Canvas via the Canvas Custom Workflow Request form.

 

Course Coordinator To-Do List:

  1. Prepare your master or dev shell for a smooth migration to Canvas by completing the D2L Course Prep Guide and attending an Open Lab at CTL Events.?
  2. Record the name and URL of your selected master or dev shell and prepare to enter it on the Migration Tracker by Dec. 15, 2026 for pilot courses, and by Mar. 6, 2026 for all other courses.
  3. Request any training/community shells or additional master or teaching shells be migrated via the Canvas Migration Special Request form.
  4. Request archival of any teaching shells or other materials that need retained for longer than three years via the Canvas Migration Special Request form.
Migration vs Archiving

Migrate: Migrating a course means exporting your D2L course and importing it into Canvas for use. Migration moves course content, assignments, files, and structure into the new LMS, where adjustments and quality checks are needed to prepare for students.

Archive: Archiving a course means creating a copy of your D2L course for long-term storage. The archived file preserves the course exactly as it existed in D2L, but it is not intended for teaching in Canvas. Archiving is primarily for record-keeping or reference. Sinclair will automatically archive three years of teaching shells. If you need to keep courses beyond that period, you can submit a request form.

Faculty do not need to request migration just to have a backup. That’s covered by archiving. Migration is for teaching in Canvas, while archiving is for storage and reference.


Checkpoint Chats: Stay in the Glow

Open to all faculty and staff!

Quick answers, helpful tips, and the latest updates on Sinclair’s LMS Glow Up. Bring your questions, stay for the updates, and see what’s next in the migration journey.

Students, please note: Training and opportunities to ask questions are on the way! Keep an eye on your Sinclair email for updates.

Checkpoint Chat Schedule

SpringTerm Schedule Checkpoint Chats: Sign up via CTL Events.
  • Tuesday, January 6 | 9:00 9:00 - 9:30 AM
  • Wednesday, February 11 | Noon - 12:30 PM
  • Thursday, March 5 | 10:00 - 10:30 AM
  • Friday, April 10 | 12:30 - 1:00 PM
  • Monday, May 4 | 3:30 - 4:00 PM

Hybrid events: In-Person in Innovation Lab (4-341) or Remote via Zoom


Preparing for Canvas: Support & Training

SAVE THE DATE: Canvas Training for All Faculty and Staff - February 4–6, 2026

The eLearning Division will be hosting comprehensive Canvas training to support all faculty and staff in the upcoming LMS migration. Details, session schedules, and registration information will be shared soon.

Open Labs

Members of the LMS Migration Training and Support Committee, along with the eLearning Division team, will be on hand in the Innovation Lab (4-341) to guide you through the D2L Course Prep Guide and answer your questions.

To make the most of your one-hour lab, please review the prep guide and complete as many items as you can in these areas:

  • Course Content
  • Assignments & Assessments
  • Gradebook
  • Announcements (under General Preparation)

Bring your prepared course and prep guide to the lab! You’ll finish up any remaining items, get answers to your questions, and receive guidance on the trickier parts of migrating to Canvas. You’ll leave feeling confident and ready!

November Open Labs

All course coordinators are welcome at Open Labs. Faculty participating in the Spring Canvas pilot are highly encouraged to attend. 

November Open Lab Schedule [in-person]: Sign up via CTL Events.

  • Thursday, November 6 | 5:00 - 6:00 PM
  • Friday, November 7| 1:30 - 2:30 PM
  • Wednesday, November 12 | 3:00 - 4:00 PM
  • Friday, November 14 | 9:00 - 10:00 AM
  • Monday, November 17 | 3:00 - 4:00 PM
  • Friday, November 21 | 10:00 - 11:00 AM

Can’t finish in one hour? No problem, additional Open Labs will be offered in November.

Explore Resources by Group

Have a question we haven’t answered yet?

Share it through our quick one-question survey, and we’ll make sure it’s addressed in a future Checkpoint Chat.

Submit a Faculty or Staff Question Submit a Student Question

Always Adding More Sparkle

Stay tuned: This page is glowing brighter all the time! New information and resources will be added as the project moves forward.

Questions? Reach out to the eLearning Division.