The LinkedIn project team is excited to let you know that we will soon be transitioning from Lynda.com to LinkedIn Learning as part of McMaster’s online learning suite.

Lynda.com is a popular training website for software, technology, business and creative skills. Offering thousands of videos on hundreds of topics, Lynda.com is available to all students, staff and faculty at McMaster University.  This move to the new LinkedIn Learning platform will provide the same Lynda.com content delivered through an intuitive, new learning experience that is powered by insights from the LinkedIn network.

LinkedIn Learning features the same video library from Lynda.com, which means that users will be able to pick up their learning right where they left off.

What to Expect:

While LinkedIn Learning is being activated, Lynda.com will be unavailable for up to 24 hours. Once the transition is complete, you will receive an email directly from LinkedIn Learning asking you to activate your new LinkedIn Learning account. At that time, you’ll have the option to:

• Create a LinkedIn profile and connect it to your LinkedIn Learning account
• Connect your LinkedIn Learning account to an existing LinkedIn profile. Please note, you are not required to do this step should you not want to

Once your account has been activated, you will gain access to the new platform and will no longer be able access to Lynda.com; however, all profile information and learning history will be carried over to your new LinkedIn Learning account.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Is the content on LinkedIn Learning the same as on Lynda.com?

Yes, LinkedIn Learning provides access to all the courses from the Lynda.com library.

How do I log into my new LinkedIn Learning account?

If you are connecting your LinkedIn profile, please log in or activate LinkedIn Learning using the email address associated with your Linkedin.com account.

If you do not wish to connect your LinkedIn profile, please sign up for a separate LinkedIn Learning account using the email address of your choice.

Do I need a LinkedIn profile to use LinkedIn Learning?

No, you do not need a LinkedIn profile to use LinkedIn Learning.

If you do have a LinkedIn profile, you are not obligated to connect it to your LinkedIn Learning account.

How long do I have to activate my account after the transition from Lynda.com to LinkedIn Learning?

The activation link that you receive from LinkedIn Learning after the transition will expire after 14 days.

If you need to activate your account after this time, please contact the UTS Service Desk and we will resend the activation link.

You must activate your account within 1 year of the upgrade date for your individual learning data and history to carry over.

If I’m viewing a course or am midway through a learning stream before the upgrade, will my learning history be captured so that I can continue working in the new platform?

Yes, all learning history and activity will be migrated from Lynda.com to your new LinkedIn Learning account.

If you do not want to migrate your existing data, please contact the UTS Service Desk.

What are the advantages of connecting my LinkedIn Learning account to a LinkedIn profile?

LinkedIn recommends connecting or creating a LinkedIn profile to receive enhanced product features (such as retaining course history even after you’ve left McMaster) and more personalized content recommendations.

LinkedIn takes your privacy seriously, so only your basic information (e.g., name, job title, skills, photo) will be shared with McMaster. McMaster University will not have access to any private activity from your personal LinkedIn account.

What happens to my LinkedIn Learning account/LinkedIn profile when I leave McMaster?

If you connected your LinkedIn profile to your LinkedIn Learning account, you can retain your course history, regardless of your license status.

You can disconnect your LinkedIn profile from your LinkedIn Learning account at any time by contacting the LinkedIn Customer Service team.

Learn more: How to Use LinkedIn Learning

If you still have questions, contact Linkedinlearning@mcmaster.ca
Richard Godsmark, Director of Technology Innovation, Partnerships, and Risk Management