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Faculty and Staff Resources for Canvas LMS Migration

Looking for Canvas Course Set-Up or Teaching Resources?

eLearning has your back.

  • What's Different In Canvas? (Video) — A quick overview of the key differences between D2L and Canvas, including syllabus tools, assignments, question libraries, QuickEval, and the LOR.
  • Blueprints explained in Plain Language — Wondering what a "Blueprint" in Canvas is? Hear from faculty who have first-hand experience using and managing blueprints describe this new "Master course model" in their own words.
  • D2L to Canvas Crosswalk — A side-by-side crosswalk of D2L and Canvas terminology to help faculty and staff translate familiar tools and workflows during the LMS transition.
  • Canvas Learning Lounge — The Learning Lounge empowers eLearn content creators to design and deliver the best learning experiences in eLearn by providing a central space for the most up-to-date resources and support. The Lounge has four modules:
    • Introduction to Canvas
    • Set Up Your Course in Canvas
    • Blueprint Your Course
    • Prepare Your Teaching Shell
    • Teach in Canvas

Canvas Liaisons

Your Canvas Liaisons are your first line of contact for migration support, especially if you have questions while building your Blueprints.

  • BPS: Brad West, Cassondra Stamper and Rick Andrews
  • HS: Carolyn Reno, Susan Miller and Doug Hampton
  • LCS: Kimberly Pasene, Dair Arnold and Adam Thompson
  • STEM: Jose Philip and Suzy Patel
  • PEP: Jose Philip and Kristin Kwasny
  • CCP and Tech Prep: Royce Maier and Cyrus Stork

Custom Workflow Requests

Have a process in D2L that needs replicated in Canvas? Use the Canvas Custom Workflow Request Form.

Canvas Custom Workflow Request

eLearn Course Request

Need a new, blank shell in Canvas to replicate previous content or create new? Use the eLearn Course Request.

eLearn Course Request

eLearn Special Access Request

This form is used for Course Coordinators, Chairs and/or Deans to request access to Blueprints and teaching shells.

eLearn Special Access Request

Previous Communications

Bright Questions, Clear Answers

Curious about the Glow Up?
You’re not alone. This section brings together the most common questions and answers from our Checkpoint Chats - you can catch up at any time.

Supporting Students in Canvas

When will the HTS and FlexPace Orientation requirement be turned off?

Beginning March 10, How to Succeed in eLearn and FlexPace Orientation were temporarily paused as a requirement for online course registration. Students registering for fall 2026 courses may register without having completed these tutorials.

What is eLearn 101?

eLearn 101 (previously How to Succeed in eLearn) is the new Canvas-focused tutorial to prepare students for what they need to know prior to starting a course in Canvas. It is available NOW in Canvas, and will remain optional for students until October, ahead of Spring 2027 registration.

How is tutorial completion tracked in Colleague?

Tutorial completion will continue to be recorded in Colleague's NCRS screen using the same non-course code: DLCOURSE, even while the tutorial is optional.

Are there any other resources available to students?

Faculty or staff may also share this quick start guide with new students: Getting Started with Canvas

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Access & Training

I'm in my first term teaching in Canvas, and I need some help!

The eLearning Division will host another Canvas training series for fall prep starting in July. In the meantime, faculty may visit the Learning Lounge and review the modules: Prepare Your Teaching Shell and Teach in Canvas. If you're experiencing an urgent issue, reach out to the Help Desk by emailing helpdesk@sinclair.edu

How can I get the eLearn Standard Template into my Sandbox course?

For anyone interested in exploring the eLearn Standard Template to see how courses are structured in Canvas, you can download the template to your Sandbox by following the below steps:

Note: If you need a Blueprint course with the eLearn Standard Template applied, please submit a request using the eLearn Course Request Form

  1. On the Home tab of your Sandbox course, locate the Course Status panel on the top right.
  2. Select Import from Commons from the available options underneath.
  3. In Commons, search for "eLearn Standard Template."
  4. Select the template from the search results.
  5. Click Import/Download.
  6. Choose your Sandbox course from the dropdown list to complete the import.

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Migration Process

When will my Canvas course be ready for me?

The eLearning Division has completed blueprints for all eLearn-supported summer courses. We are actively working on blueprints for courses going live in fall, and will be in contact with Course Coordinators as courses are started and completed. 

How can I get help with my face-to-face course?

The eLearning Division hosts course set-up labs throughout the migration process. Course Set-Up Labs will resume in July, and are designed specifically for F2F faculty who need 1:1 help building their blueprints. For technical issues, contact helpdesk@sinclair.edu

When will we lose access to D2L Brightspace?

The college will no longer have access to courses or materials in D2L Brightspace after June 30, 2026. It is imperative that all needed course or training materials be downloaded or exported from Brightspace before June 30, 2026. 

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Course Masters & Special Cases

How do I create a blueprint to accommodate multiple term lengths or modalities?

Review the training resources in the Learning Lounge in the Blueprint Your Course Module to see what your options are for creating a blueprint for multiple term lengths or modalities.

I don't use a blueprint course. What should I do to prepare my fall course?

If you don't use a blueprint course, you may copy content directly into your 26/FA teaching shell. It is advised to first request that the eLearn Standard Template be applied to your teaching shell FIRST, before copying content, by emailing helpdesk@sinclair.edu. Once you have the eLearn standard template, you may begin copying in content and items individually and applying the template to them as you go.

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Teaching & Tools

Did we test Canvas on Chromebooks?

Yes. Canvas is fully supported in Chrome and has been confirmed to run smoothly on Chromebooks. Student and faculty testing on Chromebooks was part of the Spring 2026 pilot.

Will we be using AI tools in Canvas?

Yes. Canvas is beginning to roll out IgniteAI to help with creating quizzes, drafting rubrics, summarizing content, and giving quick feedback. This tool can save time and keep data safe and private—not to replace instructors. Sinclair's available IgniteAI features include: 

  • IgniteAI Summaries for Discussions
  • IgniteAI Search for Courses
  • IgniteAI Translations (for Discussions, Inbox, and Announcements)
  • IgniteAI Question Authoring Assistance for Quizzes
  • IgniteAI Accessibility Remediation for Courses

Can non-students or external users be added to Canvas shells?

Yes. To replicate a D2L process, submit a request via the Canvas Custom Workflow Request form. Additionally, Sinclair purchased Canvas Catalog, which connects Workforce Development courses to eLearn, and allows enrollments in eLearn for non-academic users. If you would like to discuss opportunities with Canvas Catalog, contact Migration Co-Chairs Melissa Hart or Jessica Hodell.

If we send/receive email in Canvas, will college email also be received in Canvas?

No. Official college emails, like from the Bursar, will still only go to Outlook. Canvas messages stay in Canvas, but notifications of Canvas messages will also be sent to Outlook. Students can reply to Canvas mail either in Outlook or in Canvas.

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Have a faculty or staff 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

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.