[Using Sakai] sakai-user Digest, Vol 20, Issue 46

[Matthew Schmitz]

Nicola,

The committee is just now putting together a list of likes/dislikes/needs/wants from all of the schools/colleges at the University so it's hard to say exactly what are particular challenges are or even list all of our needs.  As I said before, this decision could result in the replacement of our current LMS or the addition of another LMS.  At this time we're more in a fact-finding mode than being to the point where a decision is close to being made.

I think that a demo from a vendor might be the best place to start at this time just to give everyone an overview of the product.  We've instructed all members of the committee to sign up for trial accounts, but many of them are hesitant to explore and experiment with a product they know little (or, in some cases nothing) about.  I'll contact you off-list to discuss this more.

Thanks for the information.  

Matt

----

Matthew Schmitz
Instructional Designer
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Information Technology Services
Application User Support Group
Box 1068
(618) 650-5315
maschmi at siue.edu

On Oct 27, 2010, at 2:26 AM, sakai-user-request at collab.sakaiproject.org wrote:

> Hi Matthew -
> 
> It really depends on how you're planning to move forward with your new LMS implementation, but several vendors (including my employer, Longsight) provide 'test drive' versions of Sakai where anyone can sign up for an account and give Sakai a whirl:
> 
> http://sakaiproject.org/hosted-online-trial
> 
> Additionally, I'm sure any of the vendors (including us) would be happy to do a demo of Sakai and give you a sense of the services we can provide to help you get up and running with Sakai, if that's what your evaluation team ends up selecting.
> 
> If you're looking to hear a bit more from a peer institution, then please share a little bit more about your institution's particular challenges and I'm sure someone on the list will pipe up.
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> Nicola Monat-Jacobs
> Senior Technical Manager
> The Longsight Group
> nicola at longsight.com
> 
> On Oct 26, 2010, at  11:45 AM, Matthew Schmitz wrote:
> 
>> 
>> Recent subscriber, first time writer.  My institution is investigating replacing (or adding to) our current Learning Management System and Sakai is one of the options we've been discussing.  There are several members of our evaluation committee who have little or no experience with Sakai and are interested in a general overview of the product.  I spoke with Sean Keesler, Sakai Webmaster, about this type of demonstration and he indicated that, although the SP is unable to provide demos, one of the members of the community might be willing to help out in this respect.
>> 
>> So, if there are any institutions out there who would be willing to participate in an overview webinar to give some general details about Sakai at your institution, please contact me off-list and we can work out the particulars.
>> 
>> I look forward to hearing from you.
>> 
>> ----
>> 
>> Matthew Schmitz
>> Instructional Designer
>> Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
>> Information Technology Services
>> Application User Support Group
>> Box 1068
>> (618) 650-5315
>> maschmi at siue.edu