Rasmussen University replaced Blackboard with Brightspace, the learning management system produced by D2L. The switch represents the institution's effort to modernize its digital tools and improve how students engage with course materials.
Brightspace offers features designed to streamline online learning. The platform integrates assignment submission, grade tracking, and communication tools into a single interface. Rasmussen University serves roughly 80,000 students across multiple campuses and online programs, making the technology transition a substantial undertaking.
The university system selected Brightspace after evaluating several alternatives. D2L's platform competes directly with Blackboard, which has long dominated the higher education market despite complaints from instructors and students about its usability.
Rasmussen University did not disclose a specific timeline for completing the migration or address potential disruptions during the transition period. The university's decision reflects a broader trend in higher education, where institutions reassess their learning management systems to better support remote and hybrid instruction.