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 new tools for collaboration and learning.

Sakai will replace Blackboard at Durham Tech by December 2013. Until then, as we phase in Sakai, some of your courses may use Sakai and others may use Blackboard. If you don’t see all of your courses on Sakai or on Blackboard – don’t panic! Check with your instructor to find out which system he or she is using for your course.

• New to Sakai?
• How do I determine my Sakai user id and password?
• Forgot your Sakai password?
• When I log in to Sakai I don't see all my courses listed, why?
• Contact Sakai Support
• Printable student login sheets (PDF): Credit Courses

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 (Firefox 11 or higher is the recommended browser. To download Firefox, visit http://www.mozilla.com)
• 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?

To log in to Sakai, you will use the SAME user id and password you use for WebAdvisor!

• Go to http://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 http://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?

Sakai Tutorial

The first time a user (instructor or student) logs in to Sakai, a brief tutorial displays presenting basic info about the features and layout of Sakai. After closing the tutorial, you can access it again at any time for a refresher. Access the tutorial by clicking on User icon at the top right corner of the screen (to the left of the Logout button) and choosing Tutorial.

My Workspace

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 and Recent Announcements 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

How do I access my course in Sakai?

Click on the “More Sites” link at the top of the screen (to the right of the Durham Tech logo) to see a list of all course sites you have access to. Then click on any course title to go into that course.

REMEMBER: Sakai will replace Blackboard at Durham Tech by December 2013. Until then, as we phase in Sakai, some of your courses may use Sakai and others may use Blackboard. If you don’t see all of your courses on Sakai or on Blackboard – don’t panic! Check with your instructor to find out which system he or she is using for your course.

When I log in to Sakai I don't see all my courses listed, why?

Sakai will replace Blackboard at Durham Tech by December 2013. Until then, as we phase in Sakai, some of your courses may use Sakai and others may use Blackboard. If you don’t see all of your courses on Sakai or on Blackboard – don’t panic! Check with your instructor to find out which system he or she is using for your course.

Where do I go for help?

If you need help with 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.

Check out the online help resources

Visit the Sakai Help for Students resources.

Contact Durham Tech's Instructional Technologies team

• Email: sakaihelp@durhamtech.edu
  
• Phone: 919-536-7213 (Mon-Fri, 8am - 5pm)
  

When contacting support, please provide the following info:

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