Published April 14, 2022
Dear Colleagues,
I am pleased to share that UB will be adopting a new learning management system (LMS), Brightspace by D2L, for the campus community. Brightspace will replace the existing LMS, UB Learns, powered by Blackboard. The adoption of Brightspace follows a comprehensive and highly consultative review process overseen by an LMS Review Committee in collaboration with the deans and the Faculty Senate and focused on understanding the unique LMS needs of UB’s instructors and students.
A critical software application for today’s university, an LMS provides faculty with an online environment to create, deliver and manage their course content. Designed for collaboration and use across electronic devices, Brightspace will provide instructors and students with exciting new options for digital learning, greater flexibility and an improved learning experience.
The transition from UB Learns to Brightspace will be a three semester process, with full implementation for all courses starting in fall 2023. Brightspace implementation will be overseen by Vice Provost for Academic Affairs Graham Hammill. The Office of Curriculum, Assessment and Teaching Transformation will be coordinating the implementation in close collaboration with UBIT and University Libraries. Further information, training resources, and regular updates will be provided through a website dedicated to this transition. Over the coming months, you will receive information about the course migration process and Brightspace training for instructors and instructional support staff. In the meantime, please direct questions about the LMS transition to ubcatt@buffalo.edu.
I would like to thank the LMS Review Committee and the faculty and students across the university who provided input on UB’s LMS. These contributions were critical to understanding UB’s specific needs and identifying an LMS responsive to those needs.
Sincerely,
A. Scott Weber Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs
