Requesting Course Migration
Using the OWL Migration Request App on OWL Sakai
The OWL Migration Request App allows instructors to indicate how they would like to migrate their course(s) from OWL Sakai to the new learning management system, OWL Brightspace.
You MUST request an option for your course in order for content to migrate. We encourage you to choose a migration option through the OWL Migration Request App as soon as possible to facilitate timely access to your courses, especially if you are teaching in Fall 2024.
If your academic course is new (has never existed in Sakai) for the term, you can request a blank reference course through the WTS Helpdesk.
Note: If you do not manage an academic course in OWL Sakai, no migration selection is required.
How to Access the OWL Migration Request App
- Login to OWL Sakai with your Western ID
- Click “Membership” on the left navigation of the OWL Homepage
- Find and click on the “Migration” tab
- Use the Guide to learn how to request a migration option for your course and get more information about Migration Options and Statuses within the OWL Migration Request App.
Who can request migration through the OWL Migration Request App?
Instructors. Only the official instructor(s) of a course can request the migration of course content.
- If the instructor has not yet been assigned to the course:
- Course administrators or other support staff must request a blank reference course by submitting a ticket to the WTS Helpdesk.
- If the instructor is no longer available to give permission for course content to migrate:
- The academic leader (Dean, Associate Dean, Chair, Head of Department, Program Coordinator) can submit a ticket to the WTS Helpdesk with the course information and designate to provide approval.
What Course Migration Options are Available?
If it’s time to request your course migration and you haven’t yet requested a personal sandbox, we suggest you do this first, and explore Western’s Self-Guided Instructor Training. Having a working knowledge of OWL Brightspace, in addition to the guidance below, may be helpful in choosing the most appropriate migration option for you and your courses.
Some things to know:
- You can back up your course content separate of the migrations at any time by exporting from Lessons.
- Migrations do not change your course content within your existing OWL Sakai site; it takes a point-in-time copy of the course site.
- Student data is not migrated with either migration option.
Self-Migration
Instructors will be provided with a blank Reference course in OWL Brightspace which they can use for organizing content as they move it from OWL Sakai.
Why should you choose this option?
- You are an instructor who wants to take full advantage of the new features within OWL Brightspace and use the opportunity to build a new course.
- You have a less complex course that largely uses Resources, Gradebook, Announcements, and Assignments. You will be able to upload files and follow the instructions to set up other tools.
Assisted Migration
Instructors will be provided with a Reference Course containing their previous course content. They can use this course to restructure and reorganize their content and prepare it for use in the official course(s).
Why should you choose this option?
- You have a more complex course that makes use of the Lessons tool.
- You have a large course with a significant amount of content.
- You will benefit from the various resources available to assist you in the post migration restructuring and reorganizing.
Teaching a New Course?
If your course is new for the upcoming term, no migration option needs to be selected. If you wish, you can request a blank reference course to start developing your course by submitting a request through the WTS Helpdesk.
For Course Support Staff and Courses Without Assigned Instructors
If an instructor has not been assigned, course administrators or other support staff may request a blank reference course by submitting a ticket to the WTS Helpdesk. Please note, this option does not permit the migration of course content. It is the responsibility of the content owner to grant permission for content migration.
If an instructor is not available to give permission to migrate course content, an academic leader (Dean, Associate Dean, Chair, Head of Department, Program Coordinator) can submit a ticket to the WTS Helpdesk with the course information and designate to provide approval.
When will I get my course once it is requested?
We strongly encourage you to request a course migration option as soon as possible. Migrations requested by April 26 will be available by the end of May. After that date, migrations will be processed as they are requested, and will take approximately 4 weeks from the date of request to be processed. Once migration has been requested, you will receive an email when your course is ready.
NOTE: We are prioritizing courses for Summer and Fall 2024 for May delivery. If you only teach in Winter 2025, your course will be available no later than September 2024.
OWL Brightspace Terminology
To help you better understand the different courses and sites within OWL Brightspace, refer to the guide below.
| Sandbox: |
An OWL Brightspace sandbox is a personal course that can be used for testing and experimentation. Self-guided training will be available once you get your sandbox. Students will not be enrolled in your sandbox. |
| Reference Course: |
A Reference Course is a staging area in OWL Brightspace that can be used to restructure and reorganize migrated content or to plan and organize new content. Content built or organized in a Reference Course can then be imported to the official course(s), where students are enrolled. Reference Courses will be used during the migration process only. You will have one Reference Course in OWL Brightspace for each course migrated from OWL Sakai or built new in OWL Brightspace. For more information, see the FAQs under "About Migration" |
| Official Course: | In OWL Brightspace, a Course may refer to an academic course or a guided training course that uses tools like Gradebook, Assessments, Tests & Quizzes, Certificates, and Lessons. The Course in OWL Brightspace is where students will be enrolled. |
| Project Site: | This is not a terminology used in OWL Brightspace. "Project site" is an OWL Sakai term. Non-academic project sites in OWL Sakai will not be migrating to OWL Brightspace. Visit the Project Site page for more information about project sites. |
