OWL (Sakai)
What is OWL (Sakai)
OWL is the online learning management system (LMS) at Western. OWL uses a customized version of the open source LMS platform Sakai.
What is the purpose of OWL (Sakai)
OWL is used for learning, teaching, training, research, and collaboration. It is the online home for official Western undergraduate and graduate courses, Western Continuing Studies courses, and Human Resources courses, as well as independent, departmental, and group project worksites.
How to use OWL (Sakai)
To access OWL, visit owl.uwo.ca and login with your Western credentials. Once logged in, you can access the course sites you are a member of, access joinable sites, or create your own project site.
Where to find Support
This tool is centrally supported
Support
For help, you can contact the WTS Helpdesk.
Please note that Western University is in the process of migrating to a new learning management system, OWL Brightspace. For more information, visit owlmigration.uwo.ca.
Documentation
Additional information on OWL (Sakai) can be found on the OWL Help website.
Tool Evaluation
Functionality
| Rating | Rationale |
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ScaleThe tool can be scaled to accommodate any size class with the flexibility to create smaller sub-groups or communities of practice |
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Ease of UseOWL course sites are considered user-friendly and easy to navigate when elements are engaged in alignment with course design and student-focused intentions. OWL is easy to use for instructors with some technological literacy, threshold to entry and course site development is moderate. |
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Tech Support/Help AvailabilityVarious Western-based supports are available to aid users in course site design, troubleshooting tasks, or solving problems experienced. See ITRC, OWL Documentation, Teaching Support Centre. |
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HypermedialityOWL allows users to communicate through different channels (audio, visual, textual) and allows for non-sequential, flexible/adaptive engagement with material |
Accessibility
| Rating | Rationale |
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AODA FriendlyOverall, most OWL tools meet accessibility guidelines (AODA and the W3C WCAG 2.0 standards), however it is noted that accessibility considerations vary from tool to tool and some tools depend on instructor action. For guidance on making OWL more accessible, check out this Accessibility Guide for Sakai.. |
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User-focused participationWith the availability of a wide range of tools, OWL is designed to address the needs of diverse users, their various literacies, and capabilities, thereby widening opportunities for participation in learning |
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Required EquipmentProper use of OWL does not require specialized equipment |
Technical
| Rating | Rationale |
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OWL IntegrationOWL is the tool under review |
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Operating SystemsUsers can effectively utilize OWL on non-mobile operating systems (i.e. Windows, OSX) |
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Web BrowserUsers can effectively utilize OWL with any standard, up-to-date web browser (i.e. Safari, Google Chrome, Firefox, Explorer, etc.) |
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Additional Tech RequirementsIn general, OWL does not require additional downloads or installations. However, there will be exceptions to the rule for some tools and advanced functions. For example, Blackboard Collaborate requires the latest version of flash player, and streaming video from a lesson may require the quicktime plugin. For further information on additional technical requirements, check the individual tool documentation in this Toolkit. |
Mobile Design
| Rating | Rationale |
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Mobile Operating SystemsOWL is accessible on all mobile devices through a browser. There is no native app for OWL, however you can access OWL through the WesternU app on both android and iOS devices. |
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Mobile FunctionalityCore features of the main OWL tool are functional on mobile but advanced features may be limited. There are no differences in functionality between mobile devices. |
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Offline AccessOWL cannot be used in any capacity offline |
Usage and Account Set Up
| Rating | Rationale |
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Sign Up/Sign InUse of OWL does not require the creation of an external account or additional login beyond a Western Identity |
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Cost of UseAll aspects of OWL can be used free of charge to Western account holders |
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Archiving, Saving, and Exporting DataIn general, users can archive, save, or export OWL content and activity data in a variety of formats. For specific tool capabilities, check the individual tool documentation in this Toolkit. |
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Data Privacy and OwnershipUsers maintain ownership and copyright of their intellectual property/data; the user can keep data private and decide if/how data is to be shared |
Social Presence
| Rating | Rationale |
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CollaborationOWL and its various tools has the capacity to support a community of learning through both asynchronous and synchronous opportunities for communication, interactivity, and transfer of meaning between users |
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User AccountabilityInstructors can control student anonymity; The tool provides technical solutions for holding students accountable for their actions |
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DiffusionOWL is the centrally supported Learning Management System (LMS) at Western and is widely known and popular. It’s likely that most students are familiar with the tool and have basic technical competence with it |
Instructor Presence
| Rating | Rationale |
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FacilitationDepending on how tools are configured and applied, OWL has easy-to-use features that would significantly improve an instructor’s ability to be present with students via active management, monitoring, and engagement |
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CustomizationWith the various tools that can be added or removed, OWL sites are adaptable to specific course environments: easily customized to suit the classroom context and targeted learning outcomes |
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Learning AnalyticsDepending on the tools utilized and strategies employed, Instructor can monitor students’ performance on a variety of responsive measures. For further information on additional technical requirements, check the individual tool documentation in this Toolkit. |
Cognitive Presence
| Rating | Rationale |
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Enhancement of Cognitive Task(s)Given consideration to design, facilitation, and direction from instructor, OWL has the potential enhance engagement in targeted cognitive task(s) that were once overly complex or inconceivable through other means |
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Higher Order ThinkingGiven consideration to design, facilitation, and direction from instructor, OWL has the potential to facilitate students in exercising higher order thinking skills |
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Feedback on LearningGiven consideration to design, employment of appropriate tools, and facilitation, students can regularly receive formative feedback on learning (i.e. they can track their performance, monitor their improvement, test their knowledge, etc.) through OWL |
Security and Privacy
This tool has been formally reviewed by Western’s Technology Risk Assessment Committee
Security and Privacy Flags
Information Collection
- Application collects information that could identify the user specifically (email address, class schedule, etc..)
EULA
- Application's Terms of Conditions or End User License Agreement poses a risk of binding the institution to an agreement thereby requiring legal counsel to review the application. However, this is mitigated as it has undergone legal review during the Technology Risk Assessment process.
Last Updated: March 5, 2024
Rubric
The eLearning Toolkit Evaluations are made available under the terms of the CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 licence
Feedback
Leave feedback to comment or request that the tool be re-reviewed
Topic at a Glance
OWL is Western's Learning Management system. Course material and class communications can be provided through this system and students can be evaluated in multiple ways.
