Sakai Reviews & Pricing

by Apereo | Founded 2013, Ann Arbor, Michigan

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Overview Pricing Benefits Reviews Features

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What is Sakai?

Industry Specialties: Serves all industries.

Sakai is a robust Learning Management System (LMS) developed by Apereo, designed to facilitate educational and collaborative tasks. It is particularly well-suited for higher education institutions, corporate training environments, and organizations requiring a comprehensive e-learning platform. Sakai offers unique benefits such as open-source flexibility, extensive customization options, and a strong community support network. Key features include course management, online assessments, gradebook integration, and collaborative tools like forums and wikis. Users appreciate its adaptability and the ability to integrate with other educational tools and systems. Compared to similar products, Sakai stands out for its user-driven development and cost-effectiveness, especially for institutions seeking a scalable solution without hefty licensing fees. Pricing details for Sakai can vary based on specific needs and deployment options. For precise pricing information, it is recommended to contact SelectHub for a tailored quote.

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User Sentiment

Based on 24 reviews:

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Sakai Pricing

Based on our most recent analysis, Sakai pricing starts at $0 (Free, Open-Source).

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Starting From: $0
Pricing Model: Free, Open-Source
Free Trial: No

Training Resources

Sakai is supported with the following types of training:

Documentation
In Person
Live Online
Videos
Webinars

Support

The following support services are available for Sakai:

Email
Phone
Chat
FAQ
Forum
Help Desk
Knowledge Base
Tickets
Training
24/7 Live Support

Sakai Benefits and Insights

Why use Sakai?

Key differentiators & advantages of Sakai

Enhanced Collaboration: Facilitates group projects and discussions through integrated tools like forums, wikis, and chat rooms, fostering a collaborative learning environment.
Customizable Learning Paths: Allows instructors to tailor course materials and assessments to meet diverse learning needs, enhancing student engagement and success.
Scalability: Supports institutions of varying sizes, from small colleges to large universities, ensuring consistent performance and reliability.
Open Source Flexibility: Being open-source, Sakai can be customized and extended to fit specific institutional requirements, providing a cost-effective solution.
Robust Assessment Tools: Offers a variety of assessment options, including quizzes, assignments, and peer reviews, enabling comprehensive evaluation of student performance.
Integration Capabilities: Seamlessly integrates with other educational technologies and tools, such as Google Apps and Turnitin, streamlining workflows for educators and students.
Accessibility Compliance: Adheres to accessibility standards, ensuring that all students, including those with disabilities, have equal access to educational resources.
Data Security: Implements stringent security measures to protect sensitive information, ensuring compliance with data protection regulations.
Community Support: Benefits from a vibrant community of developers and educators who contribute to continuous improvement and provide peer support.
Cost Efficiency: Reduces licensing costs associated with proprietary software, allowing institutions to allocate resources to other critical areas.
Mobile Accessibility: Provides a responsive design that ensures students and instructors can access course materials and participate in activities from any device.
Comprehensive Reporting: Generates detailed reports on student progress and course effectiveness, aiding in data-driven decision-making for educators and administrators.
Enhanced Student Engagement: Utilizes interactive tools and multimedia content to create a dynamic learning experience, increasing student motivation and participation.
Continuous Improvement: Regular updates and community-driven enhancements ensure that Sakai evolves to meet the changing needs of the educational landscape.

Industry Expertise

Sakai is best suited for institutions that value open-source software and have a strong community of developers and users who can contribute to its ongoing development and customization. It is particularly well-suited for higher education institutions, as it offers a wide range of features for teaching, learning, research, and collaboration.

Sakai Reviews

Based on our most recent analysis, Sakai reviews indicate a 'excellent' User Satisfaction Rating of 93% based on 24 user reviews from 1 recognized software review sites.

24 reviews

93%

of users would recommend this product

Synopsis of User Ratings and Reviews

Based on an aggregate of Sakai reviews taken from the sources above, the following pros & cons have been curated by a SelectHub Market Analyst.

Pros

Robust Communication and Collaboration: Sakai is equipped with a variety of tools that simplify communication and foster collaboration among users. These tools encompass both synchronous and asynchronous options, including messaging, discussion forums, social networking features, and collaborative workspaces.
Effortless Course Construction: Sakai streamlines the process of course creation and organization. Educators can easily compile various elements such as text, resources, quizzes, assignments, links, videos, and other media into structured lessons or modules. The platform also allows for controlled access to materials through conditional release mechanisms, facilitating a tailored learning experience.
Comprehensive Grading and Assessment: Sakai offers a range of features designed to streamline grading and assessment procedures. These features support various evaluation methods, including high-stakes testing, online assignments, rubric-based scoring, and efficient grade entry. This comprehensive suite of tools empowers educators to provide meaningful feedback and manage student performance effectively.

Cons

User Interface: Sakai's user interface is often considered less intuitive and modern compared to competitors like Canvas, potentially impacting user experience, especially for those who are accustomed to more contemporary platforms.
Update Speed: As an open-source platform, Sakai's development relies on community contributions. This can lead to slower updates and new features being rolled out less frequently compared to commercially developed LMS options.
Internationalization: Some users have reported ongoing challenges with the internationalization of Sakai's tools, which could pose difficulties for institutions with multilingual user bases or those operating in diverse linguistic environments.

Researcher's Summary:

Is Sakai the real deal when it comes to learning management, or does it leave users feeling lost? User reviews from the last year reveal a mixed bag. While Sakai is praised for its flexibility and customization options, allowing institutions to tailor the platform to their specific needs, like a bespoke suit, it stumbles in key areas like user interface and accessibility. Users have reported that navigating Sakai can feel like traversing a labyrinth, especially compared to more intuitive platforms like Canvas.

One of Sakai's standout features is its open-source nature, which translates to cost-effectiveness, a major plus for budget-conscious institutions. However, this double-edged sword means that updates and new features are often subject to the whims of the Sakai community, which may not always align with an institution's immediate needs. Imagine waiting for a much-needed software update, only to have it delayed because the community is preoccupied with a less critical feature. Furthermore, users have pointed out persistent issues with the internationalization of tools, making it less than ideal for globally diverse institutions.

In conclusion, Sakai is best suited for institutions willing to invest time and resources into customizing the platform and navigating its quirks. It's like a fixer-upper house: with some elbow grease, it can be turned into a dream home, but it requires patience and a DIY spirit. Institutions prioritizing a sleek user experience and out-of-the-box functionality might find more modern LMS platforms a better fit.

Key Features

Notable Sakai features include:

Course Management: Facilitates the creation, organization, and management of course content, assignments, and assessments.
Gradebook: Offers a comprehensive grading system that supports various grading schemes and provides detailed feedback to students.
Assignments: Allows instructors to create, distribute, and collect assignments online, with options for peer review and group submissions.
Discussion Forums: Provides a platform for threaded discussions, enabling asynchronous communication among students and instructors.
Quizzes and Tests: Supports the creation and administration of quizzes and tests with a variety of question types, including multiple-choice, true/false, and short answer.
Resources: Enables the storage and sharing of course materials, such as documents, videos, and links, in a centralized location.
Calendar: Integrates a calendar feature to schedule and track important dates, deadlines, and events for courses.
Announcements: Allows instructors to post important updates and notifications that are visible to all course participants.
Chat Room: Provides real-time communication capabilities for synchronous discussions and collaboration.
Wiki: Facilitates collaborative content creation and editing, allowing students and instructors to build and maintain shared knowledge bases.
Polls: Enables the creation of polls to gather feedback or conduct quick surveys within the course environment.
Site Statistics: Offers detailed analytics and reporting on user activity and engagement within the course site.
Integration with External Tools: Supports integration with third-party tools and services, such as Turnitin for plagiarism detection and Zoom for video conferencing.
Mobile Accessibility: Ensures that the platform is accessible on various devices, including smartphones and tablets, through responsive design.
Customizable Interface: Allows institutions to tailor the look and feel of the platform to match their branding and specific needs.
Open Source: As an open-source platform, Sakai offers flexibility and the ability to customize and extend its functionality through community contributions.