Course Cleanup: Preparing for Accessibility & LMS Migration

Summary

With new ADA requirements (WCAG 2.1 Level AA) and an LMS migration ahead, now is the time to clean up your courses—streamline files, ensure accessibility, update videos, and prepare content for a smooth transition.

Body

🧹 Course Cleanup Checklist: Preparing for the LMS Migration

We’re moving to a new Learning Management System (LMS) next year. To make the transition smooth, faculty are asked to clean up their courses now so only the best, most useful content comes along. Think of this as a spring-cleaning for your courses!

✅ Step 1. Clean Out Your Course Files

  • Open the Content Collection.

  • Delete duplicate files (look for names like syllabus(1).docx).

  • Remove any outdated or unused files.

  • Videos stored here must be moved to our official video hosting platform (Microsoft Stream / Medial). Then, replace the old file with a link or embed from that platform.

✅ Step 2. Tidy Up the Grade Center

  • Delete extra or “orphaned” grade columns (those not tied to an active assignment/test).

  • Remove old or unwanted assignments, tests, or surveys.

  • If needed for records, export grades before deleting.

✅ Step 3. Review Course Content

  • Remove outdated references (e.g., “Fall 2023 syllabus”).

  • Double-check external links (fix or delete broken ones).

  • Run Ally on your course:

    • Add alt text to images

    • Fix headings/tables

    • Replace scanned PDFs with tagged, searchable versions

✅ Step 4. Check Your Videos

  • Make sure every video is captioned and has a transcript.

  • If not:

    • Submit a captioning request (Medial)

    • Or caption in Stream and link with a web link

  • Update any outdated or broken video links.

✅ Step 5. Simplify Your Course Navigation

  • Hide tools and menu items you aren’t using.

  • Keep navigation streamlined (fewer items = easier for students).

  • Use a consistent structure across all your courses if possible.

✅ Step 6. Note Your Third-Party Tools (LTIs)

  • Write down which integrations you use (VoiceThread, Cengage, Norton, Macmillan, etc.).

  • ⚠️ These links will not migrate automatically. You’ll need to re-add them in the new LMS.

  • Keep any configuration info you might need later.

✅ Step 7. Final Student Experience Check

  • Delete old Announcements and messages.

  • Check for outdated syllabus content or old due dates.

  • Enter Student Preview Mode to see your course the way students will.

📌 What About Sandboxes?

Before migration, you’ll receive a new sandbox course with a simplified navigation menu. You can:

  • Copy content from your cleaned-up course into the sandbox, or

  • Start fresh in the sandbox and rebuild from scratch.

This is your chance to redesign and streamline for the new LMS!

🗂️ Save What You Need, Let Go of the Rest

  • Follow department/college guidelines for recordkeeping.

  • Archive what you must keep (gradebooks, exams).

  • Don’t carry over clutter—you’ll thank yourself later!

Questions or Need Help?

  • Check our [Migration Support Page] (link placeholder).

  • Drop into a Faculty Prep Lab (dates/times here).

  • Or submit a ticket through the Help Desk for 1:1 support.

👉 Keeping courses clean now = a faster, smoother migration later. Thank you for preparing!

Details

Details

Article ID: 168787
Created
Thu 9/11/25 11:24 AM
Modified
Tue 9/22/26 2:17 PM