Sakai: Logging in

What is Sakai?

Sakai is Durham Tech’s new system for accessing course materials online. Sakai is similar in many ways to Blackboard but offers an updated interface and many new tools. Sakai will replace Blackboard at Durham Tech by December 2013. Until then, as we phase in Sakai, some of your courses may be on Sakai and some may be on Blackboard – so for a while you’ll be logging into both systems to access your course materials. Check with your instructor if you are unsure which system he/she is using.

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)

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

How do I log in to Sakai?

• Go to https://sakai.durhamtech.edu
• Enter your Sakai user id and password:

Your Sakai user id is the same as your WebAdvisor user id.
Format: last name + first initial + last 4 digits of your Durham Tech ID number (Example: doej1234)

• If your last name is long, your user id contains only the first 15 characters
• User ids do not contain spaces, hyphens, or other special characters

Your Sakai password is the same as your WebAdvisor password.

• If you don't know your WebAdvisor password, follow these steps: What if I forget my password?

What if I forget my password?

• Go to https://sakai.durhamtech.edu
• Reset your password

IMPORTANT: Changing your password in Sakai automatically changes your WebAdvisor password and vice versa. The two will always be the same!

Need help resetting your password?

• Instructions for resetting your WebAdvisor password (DTCC)
• Contact the Information Technology Services Department (ITSD) help desk at 919-536-7200 ext.6111

What do I do after logging in?

When you log into Sakai, you are in My Workspace, a private area where you can access your course sites (under More Sites) and store private files (in Resources). My Workspace also displays an aggregated calendar, recent announcements, and notifications from your course sites.

Verify your email address in Sakai

Click on Account on the left to verify your email address. If no email address is listed (or if the address listed is incorrect), contact Sakai help: [sakaihelp@durhamtech.edu sakaihelp@durhamtech.edu].

How do I access my course in Sakai?

Click on the More Sites link at the top of the screen to see a list of all course sites you have access to. Then click on any course title to go into that course.

Where do I go for help?

If you need help with your class that’s using Sakai, several options are available:

• Check with your instructor

It's important to let your instructor know if you’re having a problem that may affect your ability to complete your assignments. Instructors organize their courses differently so the answer to your question may be specific to the way they are doing things. Important Reminder: Remember that during the transition to Sakai some of your courses may be on Sakai and some may be on Blackboard – so for a while you’ll be logging into both systems to access your course materials. Check with your instructor if you are unsure which system he/she is using. If you need help with Blackboard, visit: http://tinyurl.com/dtcc-bb-help

• Visit the Sakai Help for Students resources

• Contact Durham Tech's Instructional Technology team
  

Email: [sakaihelp@durhamtech.edu sakaihelp@durhamtech.edu]
Phone: 919-536-7213 (Mon-Fri, 8am - 5pm)
When contacting support, please provide the following information:

• Your first & last name
• The class you are taking that’s using Sakai
• A detailed description of the problem you are having
• A phone number where you can be reached
• Please cc: your instructor on any emails you send to the support team!