Overview
This article provides guidance for institutions moving to a new Learning Management System (LMS) or adding an additional LMS integration to their existing Watermark environment.
- Target Audience: System Administrators and LMS Administrators.
- Purpose: This guide outlines the requirements, integration types, and timing considerations for each Watermark product during an LMS transition.
- Learning Objectives: By the end of this guide, the migration timeline can be planned and the necessary technical teams identified.
General Migration Principles
The System Administrator coordinates these changes. While most Watermark integrations are self-service, collaboration with the institution's LMS Administrator is required to implement technical updates.
Note on Historical Data: When switching to a new LMS, historical data from the previous system remains visible and available for reporting within Watermark products.
Planning & Self-Study (PSS)
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Integration Type: Self-service configuration using Planning & Self-Study Integration Guides below.
- LMS Admin Role: The LMS Admin makes changes within the LMS; direct access to Watermark is not required for this role.
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Multi-LMS Support: Supports up to three concurrent integrations.
- Note: Moodle is not currently supported for PSS.
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Key Considerations:
- LTI Versions: Learning Tools Interoperability (LTI) 1.1 and LTI 1.3 integrations can run at the same time.
- Deactivation: Deactivating an LTI 1.1 integration hides it from the Admin menu. Existing results persist but cannot be refreshed.
- Reactivation: To reactivate a legacy integration, contact Watermark Support for a backend request.
Student Learning & Licensure (SL&L)
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Integration Type: Self-service via Student Learning & Licensure Integration Guides below.
- LMS Admin Role: The LMS Administrator requires access to the Watermark System to complete setup.
- Multi-LMS Support: Supports up to two concurrent integrations.
- Timing: This change is best performed before a new academic period (semester or year) starts to keep data consistent.
Course Evaluations & Surveys (CE&S)
- Integration Type: Hybrid. Notify Watermark Support of the LMS change so the correct options can be enabled for the account.
- Multi-LMS Support: No limit on the number of integrations, provided they are not two instances of the exact same LMS.
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Key Considerations:
- Blackboard Users: LTI 1.3 values are required; LTI 1.1 is no longer supported.
- Moodle Users: Contact Support to request the required Watermark plugin.
- Timing: Complete this move outside of active evaluation periods. If a hierarchy is imported from Canvas, the hierarchy logic must be manually mapped after the move.
Student Success & Engagement (SS&E)
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Integration Type: Hybrid. Requires a Small Technical Project with the Watermark SS&E team. See the SS&E LMS Migration Guide: SS&E LMS Integration: LMS Migration Guide
- Multi-LMS Support: Only one LMS may be connected at a time.
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Key Considerations:
- Course Resolver: The Course Resolver must be updated to automatically match the SIS course sections with the new LMS course sections. Register for this project at least 4 weeks before the migration. Click the link to visit the Watermark Academy
- Automated Alerts: Disable alerts that rely on LMS logic (such as "Current Grade" or "LMS Login") during the move to prevent false notifications.
- User Communication: Inform end-users that LMS-related data (alerts, filters, reports) may be temporarily interrupted.
Products Without LMS Integration
The following products do not integrate with an LMS at this time:
- Curriculum Strategy
- Faculty Success