CUNY Colleges prepare to transition from Blackboard to a new LMS, Brightspace.
Starting April 3, 2024, CUNYFirst will integrate real-time data, including course shells, transitioning Brightspace into its operational phase. The comprehensive shift to Brightspace across the University, unfolding over two and a half years, will have all CUNY college courses hosted on Brightspace by Fall 2025.
Brightspace is celebrated for its accessibility, dependability, and cutting-edge design. This aligns with CUNY’s goal to be the leading student-focused University system in the nation, offering transformative and equitable access to higher education for our diverse student body.
News & Updates
November 27, 2023
Update on Learning Management System (LMS) Transition
November 15, 2023
University Faculty Senate highlights the LMS transition
June 23, 2023
Transitioning to D2L Brightspace
Why Brightspace?
The transition to a new LMS will enable CUNY to support student learning in both traditional and online courses, deliver engaging learning experiences using modern teaching and learning technology.
The goals and benefits of transitioning:
- Provide a comprehensive learning management system that is modern and easy to use for faculty, staff, and students.
- Deliver new capabilities to support teaching and learning across different modalities.
- Support growth in online learning.
- Contribute to student success through advanced analytics.
- Set a foundation for engaging learning experiences that connect and inform.
A First Look
On YouTube, the Office of Academic Affairs and D2L offer an in-depth exploration of the Brightspace learning environment, functionalities, and features. Discover how Brightspace empowers educators to facilitate engaging teaching and learning experiences while ensuring accessibility for every student.
Transition Process Timeline
Spring 23
Preparation
- Establish governance groups and begin implementation planning. Campus working groups identified.
- LMS website published.
Summer 23
Kick Off
- Contract signed.
- Engagement with D2L begins, and CUNY Brightspace configuration begins.
- Governance groups meet
Fall 23
Transition Group 1
- Train-the-Trainer begins.
- Transition Group 1 accesses Brightspace.
- Transition Group 1 courses migrate.
Spring 24
Transition Group 2
- Training for instructors begins.
- Transition Groups 1 & 2 prepares to use Brightspace.
- Transition Group 2 courses migrate
Summer 24
Launch TG 1 & 2
- Transition Group 1, 2 courses delivered in Brightspace. (*12-6 schools deliver instruction beginning Fall 2024)
Fall 24
Transition Group 3
- Transition Group 3 migrates courses and prepares to use Brightspace.
Spring 25
Launch TG 3
Transition Group 4
- Transition Groups 1, 2, 3 courses delivered in Brightspace.
- Transition Group 4 Migrates course and prepares to use Brightspace.
Summer 25
Launch TG 4
- Transition groups 1, 2, 3, 4 courses delivered in Brightspace. (*12-6 schools deliver instruction beginning Fall 2025)
- Any remaining courses migrated to Brightspace.
Fall 25
- Archive
- All courses delivered in Brightspace.
- Brightspace transitions to a university service.
- All governance groups wrap up work.
- Project ends
Training and Resources
Brightspace training is an optional and voluntary learning path for anyone at CUNY. Following are some additional training opportunities.
Faculty & Staff:
CUNY
- Faculty Getting Started Checklist
- CUNY Faculty Workshops
- LMS Transition YouTube Channel
- CUNY IT Help Knowledge Base Articles
D2L
- D2L Community
- Instructor Guided Training
- YouTube Playlist for Instructors
- Brightspace Resource Course for Instructors (all faculty will have access to a self-paced Brightspace training course as part of your transition group)
Students
For additional training resources, don’t hesitate to contact your college support teams. Below is a list of available college transition websites.
Transition Document Hub
Transition Groups
#1
Fall 2023 Prepare
Summer 2024 Teach
- Borough of Manhattan Community College
- CUNY School of Labor and Urban Studies
- CUNY School of Professional Studies
- Hostos Community College
- John Jay College of Criminal Justice
- Medgar Evers
- Queens College
#2
Spring 2024 Prepare
Summer 2024 Teach
- Baruch College
- Bronx Community College
- Guttman Community College*
- Kingsborough Community College*
- New York City College of Technology (City Tech)
- Queensborough Community College
- York College
(* 12-6 schools deliver instruction in Fall 2024)
#3
Fall 2024 Prepare
Spring 2025 Teach
- The City College of New York
- CUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy
- College of Staten Island
- Hunter College
#4
Spring 2025 Prepare
Summer 2025 Teach
- Brooklyn College
- Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism
- CUNY Graduate Center
- CUNY School of Law
- LaGuardia Community College*
- Lehman College
- Macaulay Honors College
(* 12-6 schools deliver instruction in Fall 2025)
The semester start (e.g., “Fall 2023 Start”) is when the college begins preparing to deliver courses in Brightspace. For example, “Fall 2023 Start, the first transition group, begins preparing in the Fall of 2023 to deliver courses in Brightspace in the Spring of 2024. Transition group placement is subject to change. Please direct any inquiries about this schedule to lmstransition@cuny.edu.
Get in Touch
The Office of Academic Affairs is leading the transition.
Evan Silberman
University Executive Director
Any questions can be sent to the transition team at lmstransition@cuny.edu.