Sakai: Logging in

Getting Started with Sakai

In Fall 2012, over a dozen online classes at Durham Tech are being taught using a product called Sakai. You’re getting a head start. In future, all students at Durham Tech will be taught using Sakai (just like UNC-CH and Duke students). Instead of logging into Blackboard, students in these classes will log in to a Sakai server to access assignments, submit work, and communicate with classmates and the instructor.

What computer hardware and software do I need to use Sakai?

The requirements are pretty much the same as for Blackboard. You will need:

• a computer (PC or Mac) with high-speed Internet access
• a ConnectMail email account (provided by Durham Tech)
• a reasonably current web browser (Internet Explorer 8 or higher OR Firefox 4 or higher)
• current version of Java installed (how to get the current version of Java)
• JavaScript and cookies enabled (how to enable JavaScript and enable cookies)
• Help for setting up your computer

Note to Mac users: Use the free Firefox web browser instead of Safari.

How do I log in to Sakai?

• Go to http://sakai.durhamtech.edu
• Enter your Sakai user id and password:
  • Your Sakai user id is your Web Advisor user id. Your Web Advisor user id is the first 15 characters of your last name + the first initial of your first name + the last 4 digits of your student id number
  • Your Sakai password is your Web Advisor password

Note: If you can’t remember your Web Advisor password, don't worry -- just follow the steps below for forgotten passwords.

What if I forget my password?

• Go to http://sakai.durhamtech.edu
• Click on the "Reset Password" link. (It's on the left, below the Durham Tech logo.)
• You’ll need to reset your Web Advisor password. Need help?

Printable login handout

Sakai Student Login Handout (PDF)

Step-by-step login instructions

• Go to http://mysakai.rsmart.com
• Enter your Sakai user name and password:
  • Your Sakai user name is your complete Durham Tech ConnectMail address.
  • Your initial Sakai password is a long number that was sent to your ConnectMail address.

Note: If you can't find the email with your Sakai password, don't worry -- just follow the steps below for forgotten passwords.

What if I forget my password?

• Go to http://mysakai.rsmart.com
• Click on the "Forgot Password?" link. (It's in the lower right area. You may have to scroll down to see it.)
• Enter your complete Durham Tech ConnectMail address and click "Send Password".
• You will receive an email (in your ConnectMail account) that gives you your Sakai user name and password.

What do I do the first time I log in?

Immediately after your first login to Sakai, be sure to complete these important steps to finish setting up your account:

Change your password and enter your name

• In the My Settings box on the left, click "Account" then click "Modify Details".
• Enter your first and last name, and then type in a private password that you can remember. Type the password in a second time for verification.
• Click "Update Details."

Set the time zone

• In the My Settings box on the left, click "Preferences" then click "Time Zone".
• Scroll down in the list and select America/New_York.
• Click "Update Preferences."

Complete your profile

• In the My Settings box on the left, click "Profile2"
• To add a picture or other personal info, point your mouse to any area of the profile screen: an option to edit or change information will appear.
• VIDEO: How to set up your profile

Note: Profiles2 works similarly to facebook. Using Profiles2 you can make "connections" with other Sakai users (like friends on facebook), and you can post status updates that your connections will see. If you are a Twitter user, you can set your Preferences to send these status updates to Twitter.

How do I access my course in Sakai?

After you log into Sakai, you are taken to your private workspace, called "My Workspace". In the green band across the top, you should see a "Quicklink" to your course. Click the course link to go into the site for your course.

Once in your course, you may notice that it looks a lot like Blackboard.