Overview
The LMS Replacement Initiative, Brightspace at USC, aims to update the university’s supported Learning Management System (LMS). USC’s new LMS – powered by Brightspace- will be a platform that prioritizes USC’s emerging learning technology needs.
About USC’s new LMS system
In 2021, USC formed the LMS Assessment Committee to address our academic and technological needs. Co-chaired by faculty members Sandeep Gupta (Viterbi) and John Pascarella (Rossier), the committee brought together 49 participants, including faculty, students, Deans, technologists, instructional designers, and USC administrators. Key representatives for the Office of Institutional Accessibility and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Office were also included.
After extensive review, the Committee selected Brightspace as USC’s new LMS, based on the platform’s user-friendly design, robust accessibility standards and customer support offerings.
Program Details
Phase One
Phase One will transition Summer 2024 courses from Blackboard to Brightspace. Please reference the timeline further below for a visual representation of Phase 1. Academic units and schools that do not use Blackboard to manage courses today will continue to manage their courses in their current LMS.
- Phase One Key Activities:
- October 23: Pilot Faculty All Access to Brightspace
- October 25: Training Began for Pilot Faculty
- October 25 – December 22: Ongoing Office Hours for Pilot Faculty
- November 2: Campus-Wide Virtual Information Session
- November 8: Launch Bi-Weekly “Bright Ideas” Communications to All Faculty
- December 20: Launch Brightspace Help Website
- January 4: Pilot Student Access to Brightspace
- January 8: Pilot Courses Launch in Brightspace
- January 16: Faculty and Staff Access to Brightspace and Sandbox Course
- March 14: All Student Access to Brightspace
- March 20: Summer Course Shells and Previous Summer Uplifted Courses Available in Brightspace
- May 15: Summer Faculty Teaching in Brightspace
Phase Two
Phase Two will transition Fall 2024 courses from Blackboard to Brightspace. Academic units and schools that do not use Blackboard to manage courses today will manage their courses in their current LMS.
- Phase Two Key Activities:
- Week of April 15: Course Content, spanning from Spring 2021 to Fall 2023
- Week of April 15: Fall Course Shells and Previous Fall Uplifted Courses Available in Brightspace
- Spring 2024: ITS Support Desk Helpline
- Spring – Fall 2024: All Faculty Training Institutes
- Fall 2024: All Faculty previously teaching in Blackboard will teach in Brightspace