Unlike standard course sites, Sakai Project Sites are user-created and independently maintained. These sites have been widely used for various non-instructional purposes, such as collaboration among academic groups, departments, or committees. While Sakai will remain operational to Pomona College users through the 2024-25 academic year, ITS recommends that owners and/or maintainers of Sakai Project Sites start looking at alternative platforms.
Important Note: Migrating content out of Sakai Project Sites is a manual, self-initiated process. Since ITS does not have administrative access to these private sites, we are unable to perform the migration on your behalf. However, we are happy to provide guidance and support to assist you throughout the migration process.
To help make an informed decision on the most suitable tool for your specific needs, please refer to the table below listing the recommended platforms currently available to Pomona College faculty and staff.
Available Platforms At-A-Glance
Platform | Uses |
---|---|
Box | Collaboration, File Sharing, File Storage |
Box Hubs | Collaboration, File Sharing, Information Portal |
Canvas Independent Course Sites | Teaching, Training |
Domain of One’s Own | Website Creation |
Microsoft 365 OneDrive | Collaboration, File Sharing, File Storage |
Microsoft 365 Outlook Groups | Communication |
Microsoft 365 SharePoint | Collaboration, File Sharing, File Storage, Information Portal |
Microsoft 365 Teams | Collaboration, Communication |
Slack | Collaboration, Communication |
How do I select the platform that is right for me?
Consider the purpose of your Sakai Project Site. Which of the following features and/or uses are most important to you?
- Collaboration – The ability for multiple users to work together on the same project, document, or task in real-time or asynchronously. Collaboration tools help teams co-create, edit, and share feedback efficiently without the need for back-and-forth communication/emails and meetings.
- Communication – Communication tools are designed to facilitate interaction between users, whether through messaging, email, video conferencing, discussion boards, or other forms of communication. These platforms ensure team members stay connected and can easily share updates or engage in discussions.
- File Sharing – The ability to share files with others by uploading them to a central location and controlling who has access to view, download, or edit them. File sharing tools simplify document distribution and collaboration.
- File Storage – This refers to platforms that provide secure and scalable storage for documents, media, and other digital assets, allowing users to access files from multiple devices. This is a foundational function for document management and backup.
- Information Portal – An information portal is a centralized online hub designed to provide users with organized access to a variety of content, such as documents, news, resources, and tools. It is a way to present or disseminate information to a target audience.
- Teaching – Teaching platforms, known as learning management systems (LMS), are designed to deliver educational content in a structured way, supporting the creation, delivery, and management of courses or lessons. An LMS includes features such as assignments, assessments, and interaction between students and instructors.
- Training – This refers to tools focused on providing training (teaching specific skills or knowledge). Effective training platforms often include assessments, progress tracking, and interactive learning modules to ensure skill development.
- Website Creation – This refers to tools that allow users to design and build websites. These platforms often offer templates, customization options, and easy-to-use editors for people to create their own online presence.
Which Tools are Best for Me?
Learn More
Click through the following tabs to learn more about each platform.
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Box
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Canvas Independent Course Sites
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Domain of One’s Own
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Microsoft 365
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Slack
Box
Box provides easy-to-use unlimited cloud storage for Pomona College faculty, staff, and students. With Box, you can securely create or upload any file type from any device, share them using a direct link, invite others to collaborate, and revise and review your files from anywhere.
Access Box at box.pomona.edu.
Getting Started with Box
Resources
- Teaching with Box | RITG
- Box Knowledge Base Articles | Pomona College ITS
- Box University – Quick Videos & Self-Paced Courses | Box Support
Box Hubs
Box Hubs are portals that help you securely curate, organize, and publish content. With Box Hubs, you can bring your content together in a single, easily configurable site. You can add any content that is stored in Box to a Hub and share Hubs with both internal and external collaborators.
Access your Box Hubs library by navigating to box.pomona.edu and clicking on Hubs in your left navigation sidebar.
Getting Started with Box Hubs
Resources
Canvas Independent Course Sites
Canvas Independent Course Sites are non-credit bearing courses in Canvas. Canvas Independent Course Sites are available by request to instructors for the purpose of teaching or training students.
To request an independent course site, please fill out the Canvas – Independent Course Site Request Form.
Domain of One’s Own
Domain of One’s Own (DoOO) is an initiative that allows every Pomona student, faculty, and staff member to claim a free domain name and start building a website that is uniquely their own. You can easily install open-source applications such as WordPress, Drupal, Scalar, and Omeka to your own domain, and use this space to create your digital identity and express your creativity.
Sign up for a domain at sites.pomona.edu.
Looking for inspiration? Check out the following sites that were created with DoOO:
Getting Started with Domain of One’s Own
- Signing up for a Website through Domain of One’s Own | Pomona College ITS
- What Can You Do with Your Account (Domain of One’s Own) | Pomona College ITS
Resources
OneDrive
OneDrive is a cloud storage service that allows users to store files and access them from any device. OneDrive integrates with Microsoft Office and Windows, making it easy to sync, share, and manage files across multiple devices.
Users can share files or folders with specific individuals or make them publicly accessible via a link. Permissions can be adjusted, allowing read-only or editing access. OneDrive enables collaborative work with real-time co-authoring.
Pomona College faculty, staff, and current students are all provided 1 TB of cloud storage via Microsoft OneDrive as a part of our overall Microsoft Campus Licensing Agreement.
Getting Started with OneDrive
Resources
- OneDrive Data Collaboration | Pomona College ITS
- OneDrive for iOS and Android | Pomona College ITS
- Learning OneDrive | LinkedIn Learning
Outlook Groups
Microsoft 365 Outlook Groups is a feature that enables teams to collaborate more efficiently by providing shared resources directly within the Outlook platform. When a Group is created, it includes a shared inbox, a shared calendar, and a document library.
In Outlook, the group functions much like an enhanced email list. When members send an email to the group address, it appears in both the group inbox and the personal inbox of each member (depending on their settings). Members can reply, start new conversations, or manage their group communications directly within Outlook.
This integration helps streamline communication and collaboration, making it easier to keep everyone in the loop without needing separate tools for email, calendars, and files.
Getting Started with Outlook Groups
Resources
SharePoint
SharePoint is a collaborative platform designed to facilitate teamwork and streamline document management within organizations. It allows you to create websites, manage content, share information, and collaborate seamlessly across teams, enhancing productivity and communication.
Getting Started with SharePoint
- Introduction to Microsoft SharePoint | Pomona College ITS
- SharePoint help & learning | Microsoft Support
Resources
- Create a communication site in SharePoint | Microsoft Support
- Create a team site in SharePoint | Microsoft Support
- SharePoint: Site Customization | LinkedIn Learning
Teams
Teams is a collaborative platform designed to help teams communicate, collaborate, and share content in real time. Teams combines chat, video meetings, file storage, and app integration in one centralized workspace.
You can access Teams through the desktop application or on the web at teams.microsoft.com.
Getting Started with Teams
- First things to know about teams in Microsoft Teams | Microsoft Support
- Microsoft Teams help & learning | Microsoft Support
Resources
Slack
Slack is an all-purpose collaboration and messaging platform. To get started, go to Pomona’s Slack site and log in through CAS. Then choose your Workspace to connect with others.
You can run Slack through the browser, but for the best user experience, download the Slack client.