Have you heard the announcement about the Sakai upgrade? Have you seen pictures of the updated version? On Tuesday, August 16, the Duke Sakai Team will upgrade Sakai from version 2.9 to 2.11.

As the fall semester quickly approaches, you might be interested in learning more details about what will be different, the status of the upgrade and how to prepare for the transition to the new system. Here's what you need to know:

What will be different?

Sakai 11 will be mobile-friendly, have a more modern look, and offer several time-saving enhancements to existing tools. These include the ability to drag and drop files rather than uploading one at a time. However, most of the functionality will behave similarly and if you are familiar with the current version of Sakai, the learning curve should be low. Duke CIT has confirmed that the content (files, videos, tests) will transfer to the new environment from all previous semesters and it should display the same as it does in the current version.

How should I prepare for the change?

1. Complete your fall course site set-upAll content will be moved from the current version to the new version. There is no reason to delay setting up your course, and in fact it may delay testing your content after the upgrade.
2. Submit a request for your site to be tested after the upgrade.After you have completed your content for the fall, submit a request form to indicate that you want it tested after the upgrade (August 17 – 25). Testing will occur on a first come, first serve basis. Faculty will receive a report listing any issues that were identified.
3. Do not open your courses early.The Course Design Team and the SON IT team will work as quickly as possible to test the courses. Please do not open your course to students until you have received an email from the Course Design Team that testing is complete.
4. Register for training and/or attend an information session.The DUSON Course Design Team is offering information sessions to answer any questions you may about Sakai and the upcoming upgrade. Training opportunities are available from Duke CIT, the Course Design Team and Longsight, the vendor who supports Sakai. See the schedule and registration details below.

Information/Q&A Sessions (no registration required)

Date                           Time               Location

July 27, 2016              12-1 p.m.          Pearson 2047August 5, 2016          10-11 a.m.         Pearson 3102August 11, 2016        9-10 a.m.           Pearson 3102August 12, 2016        12-3 p.m.           Pearson 2047

Longsight Training (Pearson Building - Session limited to DUSON faculty and staff, first come, first serve) – Registration required.

Two sessions to choose from:

• Session A:  Tuesday, August 16, 2016 – 9 a.m.– 12 p.m.
• Session B (repeat of Session A): Tuesday, August 16, 2016 – 1- 4 p.m.

CIT Training (Bostock Library)–register at https://cit.duke.edu/events/list-view/

• Tuesday, August 16, 2-3 p.m.
•  New Features in Sakai 11
• Thursday, August 18, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
• New Features in Sakai 11
• Monday, August 22, 2-3:30 p.m.
• Sakai QuickStart
• Tuesday, August 23, 1-2 p.m.
• Sakai Assessments
• Wednesday, August 24, 2-3 p.m.
• Lessons in Sakai 11
• Monday, August 29, 3-4:30 p.m.
• Sakai Quick Start

Additional training sessions will be offered by the Course Design Team and will continue throughout the fall semester.