Instructors can now move course files from Blackboard to Brightspace

Tools are now in place to help West Lafayette faculty begin migrating their course content from Blackboard Learn to the new D2L Brightspace learning management system.

Although Blackboard Learn will remain available until August for the West Lafayette and Fort Wayne campuses, faculty and staff are encouraged to request content migration this spring, to avoid the expected last-minute backlogs.

The following information is about course migration for West Lafayette faculty and staff. Course migration timelines and procedures at Purdue Fort Wayne and Purdue Northwest are different; for more information visit www.purdue.edu/learning-management.

Migrate content from Blackboard Learn to Brightspace

Step-by-step instructions have been created to help navigate the course and content migration process. Any course currently available in Blackboard (generally, those from Fall 2017 or later) can be moved.

No personally identifying student information, grades or other materials will be exported from Blackboard. Only course content will be exported. Those who need assistance exporting student data, should email tlt@purdue.edu to schedule a consultation.

Click here to download step-by-step instructions for migrating your course content from  Blackboard Learn to Brightspace.

The course migration process is expected to take three to seven business days, as content transfer will take place during off-peak times to ensure the stability of Blackboard Learn.

Should I migrate Blackboard content or build new in Brightspace?

Not all content will transfer from Blackboard to Brightspace in the same way, and it may be simpler to build courses from scratch.

Questions to consider: 

  • What kind of content is in my course?
  • Does my course use a lot of links to third party providers, such as Cengage, Pearson, or Macmillan?
  • Do I want to restructure my course in Brightspace?

If a course is fairly simple, mostly files and a few quizzes or assignments, then migrating content to Brightspace may be simple and require only changes such as availability dates. If a course uses third-party links for homework and assignments, such as MyLab or Sapling, those will have to be rebuilt in Brightspace, even if the rest of your course content migrates correctly.

Content that will transfer

  • Many of the standard tools and objects in Blackboard – like items, assignments, files and web links - will successfully migrate to Brightspace. However, there may be some differences: Blackboard Items will be converted into webpages in Brightspace, but text and embedded objects like pictures and files will migrate over.

Content that will not transfer 

  • If you are using a number of third-party tools in your class – such as Kaltura videos, links to third-party resources (like Pearson, Cengage, or WileyPLUS) and iClickers – the links will not transfer correctly. Links to these resources will need to be rebuilt.
  • Some question types in assessments also may not transfer correctly.
  • Assignments using SafeAssign will transfer, but SafeAssign is not currently available in Brightspace, and originality checking will not be included with the assignment.

More specific information about content transfer can be found in the step-by-step instructions. Other questions can be sent to tlt@purdue.edu.

Request a course shell to build new

Instructors who decide to start with a blank course shell need to fill out this form to request a development shell for each course they intend to build.

For example, if you know you will be teaching four classes in the fall, each with a different course name and number, then begin by requesting one development shell for each of these courses. Once your course is fully built, you can then copy it into the actual live instance when summer or fall courses become available.

Request one or more course shells. At this time the process is not automated, and users should allow two to three business days for the request to be processed.

Help getting started

Brightspace open labs:

Brightspace Open Labs: Noon to 1 p.m. every Monday in Beering Hall, Room B286, throughout the spring semester (except during spring break) to help faculty and staff become acquainted with Brightspace. This is an opportunity to ask questions, discuss challenges, and learn more about the tools and technologies available with Brightspace. Open labs are designed to be drop-in events, but registration is available.

Upcoming training events:

Live workshops are filling quickly. Those interested in attending a workshop are encouraged to register as soon as possible. Dates include:

A full listing of workshops and webinars on the West Lafayette Campus is available.

Request a custom workshop

Purdue educational technologists are available to host custom Brightspace workshops for campus units. Because of the high volume of requests expected, requests should be made as early as possible to ensure that schedules can be coordinated. To request a workshop, send an email to tlt@purdue.edu.

Campus contacts

To stay up-to-date with implementation plans and to find resources for learning how to use Brightspace, visit www.purdue.edu/learning-management.

Have questions about the Brightspace implementation plan? Contact implementation team members at:

Writer: Dave Stephens, technology writer, Information Technology at Purdue, 765-496-7998, steph103@purdue.edu.

Last updated: January 27, 2020