Sakai Tutorials: Getting Started

Most computers are well equipped for using Sakai.  If you have an internet browser and internet connection (preferably a broadband connection at home such as DSL, or cable), your computer should have no problem connecting to and using Sakai. The officially recommended requirements for Sakai are:

1. A fully updated and compatible browser. Currently, on Windows based PCs, Sakai performs best using Firefox 3.0 or Internet Explorer 6 or Internet Explorer 7. Mozilla is also compatible.  Opera and other browsers have not been tested and are not recommended for use with Sakai.  For Mac users, Firefox 3.0 and above is the only currently tested and supported browser for use with Sakai.  Mozilla for OSX is compatible as well.
   • Safari will not function correctly with Sakai. 
   • Google Chrome will not function correctly with Sakai.
     
     
2. A broadband Internet connection is strongly recommended, both by OHSU in general, and for Sakai specifically. Slower connections should still be able to access Sakai, but will take longer to load resources and will load much more slowly.
   • SPECIAL NOTE: Some users with satellite Internet service may find their online courses do not load quickly or consistently due to satellite network design issues.

The Basics

1. Open your Internet browser and navigate to http://sakai.ohsu.edu.
2. To sign into Sakai, click on the “Login” link in the top right hand corner using your assigned Sakai login account and password.
3. After logging in, you will be taken to your My Workspace, where you can access the sites you own and/or the sites you belong to.
4. The “?” icon set to the right side of each title bar will bring up a help file associated with that window. Note: You can also access the Help tool in the left tool bar of each site.
   

Details

To understand how to use the tools at your disposal in Sakai, you’ll need to become familiar with the Sakai interface. Once you log in, you will see the My Workspace screen, as pictured below.

1. Menu items appear on the left side of the screen.  These items allow you to personalize the Sakai environment, your personal profile, and other aspects of the Sakai system.
2. The navigation bar along the top of the Sakai window shows links to up to four of your courses as well as My Workspace and My Sites buttons. Any courses that do not appear in the navigation bar will be available by clicking on the My Sites button.
3. A Logout link is located in the upper right corner of the screen. Make sure to log out when you’re finished with your Sakai session.

In Sakai, there are links throughout the various tool views and pages that you use to navigate your worksites. Here are a few tricks and tips to navigating around Sakai.

Question mark icons (to the right) are present at the right side of each title bar. Clicking on these icons will present you with the help file associated with that tool or window.

The Reset button (circular green arrow above) functions as a back button.  When you click on the reset button, the selected tool will reset, taking you back to the default screen for that tool.  Any data entered (without saving) before selection will be lost.

A broad help file with information on all Sakai Tools and resources is located near the bottom of the menu on the left side of the screen.