"Sakai OAE Deployment and Management: Open Source Collaboration and Learning for Higher Education" by Max Whitney is a comprehensive guide designed to empower IT specialists, academics, and instructional technologists in educational institutions to effectively deploy, customize, and manage the Sakai Open Academic Environment (OAE). This example-driven manual delves into the intricacies of OAE, providing practical insights into its unique collaboration system designed for university campuses. It guides readers through the process of modifying key areas within OAE's source code, such as profiles, courses, permissions, and content. The book equips readers with the knowledge to adapt OAE to meet the specific needs and culture of their campus, enabling them to create research projects, design online companions for lecture courses, and navigate OAE's public and privacy settings. It further explores customization options, allowing users to tailor OAE's appearance, including the welcome screen, drop-down menus, and sign-up pages. The manual also covers the integration of OAE with local LDAP systems for account management and authentication, as well as the installation of widgets to extend and enhance its core functionality. Readers will learn how to seamlessly integrate OAE with a web server and backend database, ensuring a robust and functional environment. The book concludes with a checklist outlining the steps involved in deploying a customized OAE solution into production, providing a comprehensive roadmap for a successful implementation.

The Sakai Open Academic Environment (OAE) is a comprehensive, open-source learning management system (LMS) designed specifically for higher education institutions. Developed and maintained by the Sakai Foundation, a non-profit organization, Sakai OAE offers a robust platform for managing course content, facilitating online learning, fostering collaboration, and improving communication among students, instructors, and staff. Its open-source nature ensures transparency, community ownership, and continuous improvement, allowing institutions to adapt the platform to their unique needs without licensing restrictions. Sakai OAE features a modular design, enabling institutions to select and implement the functionalities that best suit their teaching and learning processes. This flexibility extends to integration with existing systems, streamlining workflows and maximizing existing investments. Beyond its core learning management capabilities, Sakai OAE fosters a vibrant collaborative ecosystem. Its open-source nature encourages active participation from a global community of developers, educators, and researchers. This collaborative spirit translates into a rich repository of resources, plugins, and extensions, further expanding the platform's functionality and addressing diverse institutional requirements. The open-source model also promotes transparency and accountability, as all code is publicly available for review and contribution. This fosters a culture of continuous improvement, ensuring that Sakai OAE remains a cutting-edge platform that meets the evolving needs of modern higher education. Max Whitney's "Sakai OAE Deployment and Management" provides a comprehensive guide to navigating the intricacies of implementing and managing Sakai OAE within a higher education setting. Whitney's expertise shines through as he offers practical insights into configuration, customization, and integration, empowering institutions to fully leverage the powerful capabilities of Sakai OAE.