LMS Teams Migration to Microsoft Teams

Organization: Joint Special Operations University – Enlisted Academy (JSOU-EA)

Project Overview:
JSOU-EA’s legacy Blackboard LMS was costly, outdated, and poorly suited for collaborative and hybrid learning. The academy needed a secure, flexible, and cost-effective solution built around tools already in use across DoD systems. I led the full migration to Microsoft Teams and SharePoint, transforming how JSOU-EA designs and delivers training.

My Role:
As Lead Instructional Designer and Project Manager, I directed the migration from end to end — from solution design and stakeholder buy-in to course rebuilds and faculty training. I designed a fully integrated learning ecosystem using Microsoft Teams and SharePoint as the core LMS.

Key Contributions:

• Led the complete LMS migration strategy from Blackboard to Microsoft Teams

• Designed visually engaging, student-centered SharePoint course hubs for navigation and access

• Integrated Microsoft Forms into the Teams environment as a grading and assessment tool

• Developed SCORM-compatible workflows to enable interactive learning content inside Microsoft’s ecosystem

• Conducted technical research and testing to bridge LMS functionality gaps within Teams

• Created branded course templates, job aids, and video guides to support adoption

• Trained faculty and staff on instructional design, content management, and platform use

Tools Used:
Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, Microsoft Stream, Microsoft Forms, Clipchamp, Canva, Veed.io

Challenges Addressed:

• Replacing LMS features within a non-traditional environment (Teams + SharePoint)

• Ensuring accessibility, security, and ease-of-use for a military learner audience

• Overcoming faculty resistance and knowledge gaps around digital design tools

• Rapidly building scalable systems under tight deadlines and evolving requirements

Impact:

• Elevated the user experience for students with intuitive, visually organized course pages

• Integrated assessment and grading seamlessly using Microsoft-native tools

• Replaced Blackboard with a no-cost, fully functional platform

• Established a scalable, secure model now replicated across JSOU-EA courses

Features in Action

Impact & Reflection

Migrating JSOU-EA’s learning ecosystem from Blackboard to Microsoft Teams and SharePoint resulted in a fully functional, no-cost platform that improved user experience, increased accessibility, and allowed for scalable delivery across multiple cohorts. This project demonstrated how military training programs can innovate within secure, budget-conscious environments using familiar Microsoft 365 tools.