Ithaca College

Spring 2012 is the last semester that the Blackboard online courseware system can be used for classes. Faculty are encouraged to start using Sakai instead!

Please refer to the Sakai support website for more information about using Sakai. Sakai training is also available in The Technology Learning Center (TLC), Friends 101. 

Sakai: Introduction to Sakai for Instructors: This is the first class to take to learn about Sakai; it is the prerequisite for all other Sakai classes (e.g., "Blackboard to Sakai"). In this session, instructors will learn about the key features of the new Sakai collaboration and learning environment. There will be hands-on exercises that focus on creating a course or project site, managing files, and using selected tools. Please bring a digital picture of yourself for your profile as well as your syllabus or a couple of files to add to your site. If you don't have files to upload yet, we'll have a few for you to use for practice.

Sakai: Moving Content from Blackboard to Sakai: This session is geared towards instructors who have course sites currently in Blackboard. Hands-on exercises will guide users through the process of transitioning content and activities from Blackboard to Sakai. The prerequisite for this class is "Sakai: Introduction to Sakai for Instructors" or equivalent experience.

Sakai: Structuring Course Content: In this training, instructors will learn how to use the Lesson Builder to structure their course content. Content may include a variety of media, such as text, images, and video. The prerequisite for this class is "Sakai: Introduction to Sakai for Instructors" or equivalent experience.

For individual consultations, please contact Mary Jo Watts, mwatts@ithaca.edu or Marilyn Dispensa, mdispensa@ithaca.edu

Because Blackboard and Sakai are very different systems, faculty must convert course content themselves. 

Important Dates:

• Spring 2012 - courses can be taught in either Blackboard or Sakai - faculty choice
• Summer session 2012 - courses can only be taught in Sakai but faculty can still access old course content in Blackboard
• Fall 2012 - courses can only use Sakai but faculty can access Blackboard until Sept. 7, 2012
• Sept. 8, 2012 - Blackboard is turned off. Any course content left on Blackboard will need to be re-created in Sakai

ITS Help Desk
104 Job Hall
274-1000
helpdesk@ithaca.edu