Why are we switching from D2L to Canvas for our online courses?
This transition follows a thorough evaluation of our growing program’s needs and technology infrastructure. Canvas was selected for its user-friendly interface and strong support for teaching and learning. It offers greater flexibility for both our students and our faculty as we continue to expand our online and hybrid offerings.
When will the transition happen?
All Continuing Education online courses beginning on or after March 11, 2026, will take place in Canvas.
The first courses in Canvas will be:
- Horticulture for Landscape Designers – beginning March 11
- Comprehensive Planting Design – beginning March 12
Please check our course catalog for additional offerings.
What happens to my existing D2L courses?
Your completion of courses in D2L, and your grades in those courses, have been documented by Longwood Garden’s Continuing Education team. If you need proof of course completion, please contact continuingeducation@longwoodgardens.org.
The standard 6-month access period after course completion remains in place for Continuing Education courses until August 31, 2026. After this time, you will no longer be able to access course materials in D2L. Please ensure that you download any materials you would like to retain before this access expires.
I’ve registered for an online course with you. How do I access it?
If your course begins before March 11, 2026, it will still be accessed in D2L. After your course conclusion, you will retain access to D2L courses for 6 months or until August 31, 2026, whichever comes first. D2L will no longer be available after this date.
If your course begins after March 11, 2026, it can be accessed in Canvas. When you registered for the course, you should have created an account. You will use those same credentials to login to the course.
Students will continue to have access to Canvas for 6 months after course completion.
How do I learn to use Canvas?
Every Canvas course will include a Getting Started module to guide you through navigation and key features to help you understand how to access your course content.
We will also host 30-minute training sessions before the first Zoom class for each course starting in March 2026. These sessions will be recorded and posted in your course.
What support is available during the transition?
In addition to training sessions, Longwood Gardens’ Digital Learning team is available for one-on-one support Monday–Friday, 9:00 am–4:00 pm ET by request. Email lmshelp@longwoodgardens.org to schedule a meeting.
How will communication work inside Canvas?
Canvas includes several key communication features, including course announcements and the Canvas inbox.
Course announcements are sent from Canvas to your email for easy viewing. They can also be viewed in the Announcements tab in your course.
Announcements are enabled by default. When you receive an announcement, please read it because it likely includes important information from your instructor. Please keep notifications on to receive these important updates. See How do I manage my notification settings?
To contact your instructor or other students in the course, you can use the Inbox tool in Canvas. This tool is best used for questions that are specific to you or for which there was not time during class to discuss.
Does Canvas have an app for my phone?
Yes! You can download an app for both iOS and Android devices. Please be sure to download the student version of the app.
After you download the app, you will connect by typing longwoodgardens (no space) into the “Find Your School” search bar and then logging in with your credentials.