The rSmart Group and its partners actively participate at 7th Sakai Conference in Amsterdam
PHOENIX, AZ. (June 6, 2007)-- The rSmart Group, the leading commercial support organization and full-service provider of open source applications for education, continues its long-standing tradition of collaborating with and supporting the Sakai community at the upcoming 7th Sakai Conference in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, June 12 – 14, 2007. rSmart is participating in multiple presentations covering implementation and technical aspects of Sakai as well as pedagogical application for it. In addition, rSmart, in conjunction with its global partners IBM and Stoas, is sponsoring the Technical Demonstrations and Posters Reception the evening of Wednesday, June 13, 2007, in order to demonstrate and share innovations developed throughout the community.
“As the leading commercial support provider for Sakai, we recognize that we have a lot of experience installing, implementing and supporting Sakai that is beneficial to share with the community at these events,” said Chris Coppola, president and co-founder of The rSmart Group. “In addition we appreciate the opportunity to financially support the event through our sponsorship. The Sakai community is growing and interest in using Sakai is higher than ever. Holding these events is critical for us to bond and grow as a community.”
Sessions by rSmart and rSmart Partners at 7th Sakai Conference
Tuesday, June 12 Time: 10:55 — 11:55 AM Title: “Portal Options for Sakai” Speakers: Panel discussion featuring John Ellis, rSmart software engineer, and Sakai Fellow. Abstract: Many people don't realize that the Sakai code base currently supports three different portal options. This session will offer a brief overview and demonstration of each option. Panel members will be available to answer questions about the capabilities of the options and offer tips on their implementation.
Time: 2:05 — 3:05 PM Title: “Practical Pedagogy: Using Sakai Tools in Diverse Teaching Scenarios” Speakers: Hannah Reeves, rSmart and Jeshua Pacifici. Abstract: How do we make sense of the Sakai environment in the context of the classroom? This hands-on workshop will provide a brief introduction to the Sakai tools and engage participants in strategizing ways to combine these tools to accomplish a variety of pedagogical objectives. Participants are encouraged to attend with colleagues from their home institutions.
Wednesday, June 13 Time: 10:55 — 11:55 AM Title: “Customizing Portfolio Tools in Sakai” Speaker: Hannah Reeves, rSmart Sakai CLE product manager, The rSmart Group Abstract: Experience three sample implementations of portfolios in the Sakai environment. Learn to customize data structures such as forms, matrices, wizards, portfolio templates, goal management tools, and reports, through a live demo and an introduction to authoring documentation.
Time: 11:35 AM to 12:05 PM Title: “Enterprise Sakai: Creating a Robust Sakai Infrastructure” Speakers: Roger Norton and Roy Merolli, Marist College; Chris Coppola, rSmart; and Howard Baker, IBM Abstract: Marist College, rSmart, and IBM have worked together to build an “enterprise ready” version of Sakai. Our presentation will cover recent developments in porting the most current versions of Sakai to a WebSphere/DB2 platform capable of supporting larger scale communities.
Time: 4:40- 5:10 PM Title: “Keys to a Successful Sakai Implementation: Training and Support” Speakers: M.L. Bettino and Dave Gunn, Cerritos College Abstract: Cerritos College in Southern California is in the first year of implementing Sakai as our course management system. This presentation will discuss the two key elements to a successful implementation of Sakai on any campus; these are training and support for faculty, students and staff. We will also discuss some guerrilla tactics to promote the use of Sakai (which we call TalonNet).
Thursday, June 14 Time:9:40- 10:10 AM Title: “Sustaining Open Source Solutions: rSmart’s Sakai Experience” Speakers: Hannah Reeves and Mike Zackrison, The rSmart Group Abstract: Working with schools around the globe, rSmart has offered support and services for implementations of OSP and Sakai for over 4 years. Drawing upon these experiences and the lessons learned, this session focuses on factors that are critical to the successful implementation of Sakai as an open source solution.
Time: 2:05 — 3:05 PM Title: “I-Sakai: Innovating with Sakai – Pedagogically Focused Faculty Training” Speakers: Josh Baron, David Mamorella, and Joseph Kirtland; Marist College Abstract: As we conclude our first year in production, Marist College has launched a series of pedagogically focused online faculty workshops on the effective use of Sakai. This presentation will review the Marist training model, which utilizes instructional strategies, technical skills and an online delivery format to drive innovation in the educational experience.
About Sakai: The Sakai Project, a landmark venture to create open-source course management, collaboration and online research support tools for the higher education community, involves more than 100 universities, colleges and institutions of learning around the world. The project started with a collaboration involving the University of Michigan, Indiana University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Stanford University, the Open Knowledge Initiative and the uPortal Project, and was initially funded by the Mellon and Hewlett Foundations.
For more information, visit www.sakaiproject.org
About TherSmart Group:
The rSmart Group is the leading open source application software company serving the education market. rSmart packages, certifies, deploys, and supports a suite of enterprise financial and collaborative learning applications for colleges, universities and institutions serving grades K-12. As an active member of open source projects like Kuali and Sakai, rSmart is able to provide its clients with software applications specifically designed to meet the unique needs of educational institutions. This collaborative approach allows rSmart to offer these institutions open source options that break their dependence on traditional proprietary software vendors.
For more information, please visit www.rsmart.com
