Online Learning Tools and Software
Brightspace (D2L)
Brightspace (D2L) is an online portal that connects you with course content and resources. You can track your course grades, access assignments and lots more — it's your classroom online.
Username: SAIT ID with leading zeros (000123456)
Default password: birthdate, DDMMYY
Your Brightspace password is the same as your mySAIT password. If you change your password for one, you change your password for the other as well. Always change your password from the default after you log in the first time.
Welcome to online learning. Find out what to expect from your online classes, plus strategies for making the most of your online learning experience.
Access Brightspace help online through Brightspace Community. Use the “End User Support” widget within Brightspace to live chat or email for technical support.
Supported browsers
You can access Brightspace (D2L) from a desktop computer, tablet or mobile device:
- Desktop — the latest version of Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome or Apple Safari
- Tablet or mobile device — current version of iOS with the latest version of Chrome or Safari or Android 5.0 + OS with the latest version of Chrome
- Internet Explorer is no longer supported by Brightspace (D2L)
Take a video tour of Brightspace
Microsoft Office 365
All students have access to Microsoft Office 365 products.
Email address: firstname.lastname@edu.sait.ca
Default password: birthdate, YYMMDD
Your Office 365 password is the same as your SAIT email password. This is also the password you use to log in to a SAIT computer and SAIT wireless. If you change your password for one, you change your password for the others as well. Always change your password from the default after you log in the first time.
If you’re having access issues after installation, your course/program may have online-only licensing for Microsoft products.
Install Office 365
- Go to login.microsoftonline.com.
- On a new page, click Use Another Account option if there is another email listed that is not your email address. If not, enter your SAIT email address on the right-hand side of the page.
- Your username is firstname.lastname@edu.sait.ca
- Enter your SAIT computer login password, this is by default your birthdate in the format YYMMDD.
- Click the Sign In button
- On the welcome page, you’ll see a list of apps including Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook.
- Click on the app to use it or click the Install Office Apps button on the right of the screen.
- If you’re having issues after installation, your course/program may have online-only licensing for Microsoft products.
Microsoft Teams
Connect with your classmates and instructors using Microsoft Teams. Teams is a collaboration and communication software. You can access Teams through Microsoft Office 365.
Email address: firstname.lastname@edu.sait.ca
Default password: birthdate, YYMMDD
Your Office 365 password is the same as your SAIT email password. This is also the password you use to log in to a SAIT computer and SAIT wireless. If you change your password for one, you change your password for the others as well. Always change your password from the default after you log in the first time.
Level up your next online class or virtual meetup with a custom SAIT background for Teams or Zoom.
Did You Know? Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) is rolling out to students and apprentices in Winter 2022 and will affect your access to Microsoft Teams. Learn more about MFA and what you can do to prepare.
Take a video tour of Microsoft Teams
Remote computer lab access
If you need to connect to computers located in on-campus labs to access specialty software, use the below guides to get set up.
How to remotely connect to a Windows computer lab at SAIT:
How to remotely connect to a Mac computer lab at SAIT:
If you've already completed your VPN set-up, you can go directly to the link below to select a lab and computer.
Online proctoring software and exams
A proctor monitors students during exams to maintain the quality and integrity of the program, ensure fairness for all students, and deliver on our commitment to industry, regulatory bodies and the community. Online proctoring software is used for exams and assessments completed remotely.
Assessments are necessary for evaluating course outcomes, and sometimes exams are required. SAIT is committed to selecting assessments that are appropriate for the learning material. Instructors may make modifications to assessments when possible to support students during the exam or reduce online exams, including:
- hosting a Zoom session in case students have questions or run problems
- office hours for students to review their assessments
- open-book exam portions
- integrate graded labs into lessons as learning activities
- convert exams into scenario-based assignments
- replace a portion of the exam with a video assignment
- change the rubric and course grade weighting to put less emphasis on exams
Review this checklist for online exams before you start to make sure you’re ready.
If you have concerns, reach out to your instructor or academic chair for support.
LinkedIn Learning
As a SAIT student, you have free access to thousands of online courses and tutorials led by industry experts through LinkedIn Learning.
Use LinkedIn Learning to:
- dive deeper into your area of study
- brush up on everyday skills like creative thinking and project management
- explore a topic that excites you — from 3D animation to entrepreneurship!
Specialty software
AutoCAD - School of Construction
Students enrolled in the School of Construction can borrow an AutoCAD license.
Borrow an AutoCAD license
- Connect your SAIT laptop to the campus network.
- Start AutoCAD and type the borrowlicense command.
- In the Borrow a License window, choose a return date.
- Click Borrow License.
- Click Close.
Apporto
The Apporto platform provides SAIT-licensed software access for specific courses in the Continuing Education & Professional Studies, School of Construction, and School of Business programs.
- Use your SAIT-issued email address and password to login to Apporto. Your SAIT email password is the same as your Office 365 password.
Accessibility tools
Tools such as recorders and readers can help make technology more accessible. For example, ReadSpeaker is a text-to-speech reading tool embedded in Brightspace. ReadSpeaker is available to all SAIT students, though it’s particularly useful for anyone with difficulty reading print.
Accessibility Services help reduce barriers to learning at SAIT in the classroom and online. Enhance your online learning experience with these and other accessibility tools. Contact an Accessibility Advisor to learn more.