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Sakai Templates

Sakai offers flexibility in course design, but setup time, technical knowledge, and options can be overwhelming. To assist instructors in the design of online courses, OOL offers several templates that are customizable.

Note: Loyola does not require the use of a course template, although specific programs may require a template. We recommend checking with your program chair to determine if a template is required. 

The Office of Online learning has created two templates that Loyola instructors can choose from to begin developing their Sakai course sites. The templates include: 

A welcome/getting started page

You can modify this page to welcome your students to the course and describe how to get started.  

Week 1 lesson(s)

Each template includes a lesson page that can be modified and duplicated based on your course content. 

Technical support instructions

This page includes technical support instructions for students that you can copy and paste throughout your course where necessary.  

Online student support services

A link to the OOL student support service page. This link can be removed if it is not applicable to your students. 

Instructions for editing

The instructions include a checklist to guide you through course development and links to additional resources. 

Benefits of Templates

How can using a course template benefit you and your students? 

Predictable Navigation

When you use a course template, your course layout becomes predictable to students. For example, courses in a program can use the same course template. When students know where to find the information they need, they can spend less time searching the course for information and more time on the content.  

Quality Course Design

Our course templates incorporate elements of the Quality Matters higher education course standards, which were created to assist you in following best practices in online course design. For example, the templates include opportunities for instructor presence.  

Simplified Course Development

Using a course template can reduce the amount of time you spend building your Sakai course sites. You can spend less time structuring your course site and focus on adding your course content.  

Choosing a Template - Video

The video Choosing a Template will compare the templates and help you choose the one that is the best fit for you and your content. If you are still unsure which template is right for you, contact online@luc.edu to schedule a consultation with an Instructional Designer.

In addition to our templates for online courses, we have also created an OOL F2F template. This template is designed for on-campus, or face-to-face courses. The template has been simplified to meet the needs of on-campus instructors who would still like to utilize their Sakai course site. For example, you could use your Sakai course site to share resources and due dates with students or collect assignments and provide feedback.

Review the Templates - Student View

Select one of the following links to review the template as a student. From the student view, you can access the welcome/getting started pages and week 1 lesson(s). 

Add a Template to your Course 

Once you have decided on the right template for you and your course, contact the Office of Online Learning at online@luc.edu to have it added to your Sakai site. To have a template added to your site please provide us with the following information: 

  • Course number, section number, and semester (ex: UNIV 101 001 SP22) 
  • The template you would like added to your course (Template 1 or Template 2) 

Sakai offers flexibility in course design, but setup time, technical knowledge, and options can be overwhelming. To assist instructors in the design of online courses, OOL offers several templates that are customizable.

Note: Loyola does not require the use of a course template, although specific programs may require a template. We recommend checking with your program chair to determine if a template is required. 

The Office of Online learning has created two templates that Loyola instructors can choose from to begin developing their Sakai course sites. The templates include: 

Benefits of Templates

How can using a course template benefit you and your students? 

Choosing a Template - Video

The video Choosing a Template will compare the templates and help you choose the one that is the best fit for you and your content. If you are still unsure which template is right for you, contact online@luc.edu to schedule a consultation with an Instructional Designer.

In addition to our templates for online courses, we have also created an OOL F2F template. This template is designed for on-campus, or face-to-face courses. The template has been simplified to meet the needs of on-campus instructors who would still like to utilize their Sakai course site. For example, you could use your Sakai course site to share resources and due dates with students or collect assignments and provide feedback.

Review the Templates - Student View

Select one of the following links to review the template as a student. From the student view, you can access the welcome/getting started pages and week 1 lesson(s). 

Add a Template to your Course 

Once you have decided on the right template for you and your course, contact the Office of Online Learning at online@luc.edu to have it added to your Sakai site. To have a template added to your site please provide us with the following information: 

  • Course number, section number, and semester (ex: UNIV 101 001 SP22) 
  • The template you would like added to your course (Template 1 or Template 2)