During Fall 2025, the EMC IDT unit shared weekly Lamakū tips via the Leeward Campus bulletins. Here is a summary of all the video tips shared. You can also watch the video playlist on YouTube.
Tip 1: Course Starter Template
How to find and use document templates, and how to change colors in the course starter template.
Tip 2: Course Banners
How to update the course banner image and upload a module banner image.
Tip 3: Attendance Tool
How to use the attendance tool and input grades for attendance via the Grades tool.
Tip 4: Embedding YouTube Videos and Google Slides
How to embed Google Slides and YouTube videos on a content page in the Content tool.
Tip 5: Quick Eval Tool
How to use Quick Eval to grade, update, retract, save a draft/publish, and filter by submission or activity.
Tip 6: Rubrics Tool
How to create a rubric and attach it to an activity. How to grade using the rubric in the Quick Eval tool.
Tip 7: Intelligent Agents
How to create an intelligent agent and use replacement strings.
Tip 8: Google Assignments
How to create and grade a Google Assignment in Lamakū.
Tip 9: Creator+ Part 1
How to “Insert Elements” and use “Layouts.”
Tip 10: Creator+ Part 2
How to insert Practice Questions and H5P interactives.
Tip 11: Discussions & Lumi
Using Lumi (an AI feature) to help generate possible discussion prompts that you can edit/refine.
Tip 12: Quiz Questions & Lumi
Using Lumi (an AI feature) to help generate possible quiz questions that you can edit/refine.
Tip 13: Grades – Settings
Setup Wizard vs Settings, how to change the settings, and how to change specific settings to update the gradebook.
Tip 14: Releasing Final Grades
Settings for “Final Calculated Grade” or “Final Adjusted Grade” and how to release the final grade to students.
Alongside the University of Hawaiʻi’s plan to transition from Laulima (Sakai) to Lamakū (Brightspace by D2L), the Educational Media Center (EMC) ID Unit (Brent, Chelby, Lauren, and Rachael) instigated a year-long initiative at Leeward called “Mission: Lamakū Transition.” This video highlights a quick re-cap of our year.
Summer 2024
As part of the first cohort for the transition, it all began in Summer 2024, when the Instructional Designers (IDs) across the UH System got together to plan how we were going to support this big transition. All the while, we had to learn how to use the new system ourselves. The all-day meeting was very productive and enjoyable to work with our counterparts on the other campuses. The synergy of the IDs in one room was amazing!
Then, we, the EMC ID Unit, began developing the “Leeward Mission: LMS Transition” initiative to support our Leeward campus. (This name later turned into Mission: Lamakū Transition once the LMS got its official name).
Also during the summer of 2024, UH launched a pilot where we supported 10 brave Leeward instructors (i.e. Eunice Brekke, Merissa Bunton, Michael Cawdery, Cara Chang, Christine Danielson, Anushka Faucci, Anika Gearhart, Jessie Hoffman, Kuʻuipo Tracie Losh, and Susan Wood) who volunteered to use Lamakū for their summer courses. It was a learning experience for everyone – IDs, instructors, and the students! We truly appreciated everyone’s patience and understanding as we navigated unknown territory together.
Fall 2024
Continuing to learn more and work with instructors and the IDs across the UH System, we improved our services and resources when the full launch to migrate began in Fall 2024. We collaborated with the IDs to create course site templates based on sound instructional design, the Lamakū Instructor Essentials course site, and online workshops to support instructors.
Our six-week professional learning community (PLC), “Leeward Lamakū: Course Starter PLC” was our flagship professional development workshop where we facilitated two groups or “Cosmic Crews” with a total of 45 instructors participating. (Survey results summary.) Instructors learned the basics of Lamakū and course design as we assisted them in creating their Lamakū course sites following a timeline/framework we developed to help instructors.
Additionally, we worked diligently 1-1 with instructors, and hosted a couple more innovative professional development opportunities like the “Lamakū Live: Course Build with Lauren,” a YouTube livestream event and weekly co-working sessions (a technique called “parallel working”) to provide dedicated time/space for instructors to work on their Lamakū courses and get assistance from the IDs.
Fall 2024 was bustling with everyone migrating and getting their courses ready to launch in the Spring semester. It wasn’t long before Spring 2025 started and it was time to implement the courses with students.
Spring 2025
In Spring 2025, we were as ready as we were to go! We continued working 1-1 with instructors and sent out timely Mission: Lamakū Transition emails with helpful reminders, information, and professional development offerings. For instance, before the semester started, we provided a final check video series for instructors to help them check that their Lamakū courses were ready. We enhanced our co-working sessions to include mini workshops, demos, or presentations featuring a helpful aspect of Lamakū from new things we learned or feedback from instructors and students.
Continuing to collaborate with UH IDs, we introduced additional features in Lamakū such as H5P interactives, Creator+, Lumi (AI), and Google Assignments integration. We provided workshops to our campus for these new features/topics.
Mission: Completed
Looking back at the year, we’re glad to have partnered with and assisted over 100 instructors and had over 250 recorded consultations. Some of the comments from our consultation survey included:
“1-1 was very helpful and they always got back to me in a timely manner.”
“Thank you so much for helping me to get my Lamakū classes put together for the spring. The 1-1 consultations were invaluable as were the other resources, particularly the YouTube videos with time stamps that allowed me to find what I needed help with so I could watch that part (sometimes several times, lol).”
“You folks are always so responsive and your willingness to help is really awesome”
We’re glad to have made an impact, and we’re proud to work with such dedicated instructors at Leeward. The change and transition to a new LMS was challenging, but we all persevered and got through it together! While this year might’ve been the year to transition, we are looking forward to building upon what we have done with Lamakū and continuing to improve and innovate in course design and support engaging ways of learning with technology.
Looking Ahead
We look forward to continuing to support your design, development, and implementation of courses using Lamakū. You can find all of our Lamakū news, workshops, and resources on our new website.
If you’re interested, we are offering our foundational “Leeward Lamakū: Course Starter PLC,” again, in the Summer and Fall 2025. Please register for our upcoming summer “crew”! This is a great time to focus on refining your courses or re-designing them now that you’ve taken Lamakū for a spin. The ID Unit is here to help, and we thrive on good instructional design! 😉
Be on the lookout in your inbox for more professional development opportunities and support from the EMC. Feel free to reach out to us for 1-1 assistance, questions, feedback, or to share your experiences with us. We hope to see you soon!
We are excited to announce new AV upgrades to the Ka‘ala Room (GT 105)! Check out the latest updates—designed to enhance the teaching, learning, collaboration, and presentation experiences for all users. Incorporating campus feedback from the Technology Needs Assessment, the AV Services Unit selected equipment upgrades that reflect our ongoing commitment to providing modern, user-friendly spaces equipped with the latest in audio-visual (AV) technology. Here’s what’s new.
🧑🏫 New Podium with Side Shelf
The Ka‘ala Room now features a newly installed podium that includes a convenient flip-up side shelf on its left side, allowing presenters to easily connect and use their own laptops or to use as additional tabletop space.
📐 Expanded Work Surface
A larger countertop work surface has been added to provide more room for materials, notes, and devices. This extra space is especially useful for presenters who need to manage multiple resources at once.
📷 Integrated Document Camera
Need to share a physical document or object with your audience? A document camera has been neatly integrated into a pullout drawer on the right side of the podium, offering quick and easy access without cluttering the main tabletop area.
🎛️ Second Touch Panel Control
In addition to the main control panel at the front of the room, the Ka‘ala Room now includes a secondary touch panel controller located in the back of the room. This allows presenters or AV support staff the flexibility to access the room’s AV system from multiple locations.
📺 New 85″ Display
A brand new 85-inch monitor, mounted with a service-friendly wall mount, now commands attention at the back of the room. This vibrant, large-format display ensures crystal-clear visuals from anywhere in the room, perfect for presentations, videos, or collaborative sessions.
📡 Wireless Media Player
Say goodbye to adapters and cables—the new wireless media player allows seamless content sharing from a variety of devices, including both Windows and Apple platforms, of up to four devices simultaneously. Whether you’re presenting slides, videos, or documents, sharing content wirelessly has never been easier.
🔊 Enhanced Audio System
Experience clearer, more immersive sound with a completely upgraded audio system. Whether you’re listening to a guest speaker or viewing multimedia content, the improved audio quality ensures every word and note comes through crisp and clear.
🎥 Video Production Connection Points
For those utilizing our Video Production Unit’s video services, the Ka‘ala Room is now equipped with video connection points, making it easier and faster for our team to set up and support your video production needs.
📍Register for the Ka‘ala Room Orientation
These improvements are aimed at making the Ka‘ala Room more versatile, efficient, and ready to support a variety of instructional and event formats. We invite you to explore the updated space and experience the difference these changes bring. Please register for our upcoming Ka‘ala Room Orientation on Friday, May 23, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
The Instructional Designers (IDs) across the UHCC System are excited to invite you to our Lamakū @ HISSI! This year, in addition to the regular program of sessions at HISSI, attendees can participate in our Lamakū workshops across three themes and participate in special sessions at our Kokua Korner.
Lamakū Workshops
Our Lamakū workshop sessions include topics from content design of modules to assessments to interactive tools. Drop in at any session that piques your interest throughout the day.
Kokua Korner
Sessions at our Kokua Korner will be during the first two time blocks at HISSI from 10:55-11:55 a.m. and 1:15-2:15 p.m., featuring:
Course Walk: Want to see how others are teaching with Lamakū? Instructor presenters will showcase their Lamakū courses in a poster/laptop session format. Move from station to station to explore various approaches to designing and facilitating your course in Lamakū. (see presenters and descriptions)
Instructional Design Support: Meet one-on-one with an instructional designer for assistance with course design, Lamakū tools, or any questions you may have. Support is offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
Technical Support: Have a technical question about IDAP, LTI, or related topics? Consult with our expert from UH ITS.
D2L Product Idea Exchange (PIE) Korner: Have an idea for a feature or tool D2L should consider? Share it at the PIE Korner, and we’ll submit your suggestions to D2L!
Just Register to Attend HISSI and join us for as much Lamakū learning and fun and you care to infuse into your day at the event!
Lamakū Learning Leaders
The Leeward CC Instructional Design Unit (Brent, Chelby, Lauren, and Rachael) will be at the event sessions to support you. A special mahalo to our Leeward CC presenters who will be sharing their insights and skills!
Session Presenter:
Lauren Lum Ho (Sessions: “H5P (in Creator+)” and “Discussions Tool: Design, Engage, Assess”)
It has been a whirlwind of a semester transitioning from Laulima to Lamakū, UH’s new Learning Management System (LMS)! The EMC’s Instructional Design (ID) unit (i.e. Brent, Chelby, Lauren, and Rachael) worked hard in a short timeframe while still learning Lamakū to provide professional development opportunities, including workshops, 1-1 support, and resources.
The ID unit branded its efforts under the theme, “Mission: Lamakū Transition,” introducing Space Pal as a friendly mascot helping everyone through. With their “Mission: Lamakū Transition” year-long theme, they emailed a newsletter almost weekly to keep the campus informed. The information included the latest news, resources we created, professional development opportunities from the ID unit and UH System, and how to get support from us at “Mission HQ” through chats, meetings, and drop-ins, both in-person and online.
During Fall 2024’s Week of Welcome, the ID unit offered a Lamakū track in their annual “Tech It Out Day” event on Monday. Needless to say, Lamakū was the hottest topic at the event. On Wednesday, at their “Lamakū Info Session” they had a full classroom of folks anticipating the latest news about the transition. Then, on Thursday, they wrapped things up with a “Lamakū Sneak Peek” hands-on workshop for instructors to dip their toes into Lamakū.
Starting in September, the ID unit offered a six-week professional learning community (PLC) called “Leeward Lamakū: Course Starter PLC.” They facilitated two groups or “Cosmic Crews” (to go with their space mission theme) with a total of 45 instructors. This professional development opportunity focused on course design and building using the Lamakū Course Starter Template that the IDs across the UH System collaborated on. It was delivered asynchronously with weekly synchronous meetings and 1-1 meetings with an ID from the EMC.
In October and November they offered the “Lamakū Exploration Fridays” series which were in-person, hands-on workshops focusing on a particular Lamakū tool in each session to demo it and show its functionalities and how it can be used, and to provide a space for instructors to start working on their courses with ID support.
The ID unit created various resources to support instructors using Lamakū. Some of these included:
A timeline/checklist to help instructors pace themselves during the semester to get their Spring courses ready.
A screencast video series on YouTube called “Lamakū Lift-Off” demonstrating the process of transitioning a course from Laulima to Lamakū, from scratch using the recommended timeline as a framework.
Resource docs with instructions and video tutorials.
On October 14th, the EMC launched a fun, innovative support session using the “build buddy” strategy, inspired by the concept of Body Doubling where you work alongside someone focused on the same task. By doing so, you can tap into a shared energy that fosters motivation and productivity. Instructional Designer, Lauren Lum Ho, live-streamed herself on YouTube transitioning a Laulima course site to a Lamakū course site over six hours. Watch the recording.
The ID unit also collaborated with their ID colleagues systemwide to provide additional webinar workshops, resources, and support. The main initiatives that came out of that collaboration were the Lamakū Discovery Series (webinars), Lamakū Support Sessions (online 1-1 support via Zoom), and the Lamakū Instructor Essentials Course (a resource site in Lamakū).
Meanwhile throughout the semester, the ID unit worked tirelessly with instructors one-on-one to provide custom support tailored to their needs and situation. This was probably the most time-intensive for the IDs, but the most helpful for instructors, serving roughly 50 instructors (unduplicated) multiple times throughout the semester, not counting the time to help them with their course builds or creating tutorials to supplement the time we meet with them. There were also a few groups or departments on campus that they supported as well.
Lastly, while they continue to provide 1-1 support throughout the winter break, the ID unit will also be offering “Lamakū Co-Work Sessions” to provide a dedicated time/space for folks to work on creating their Lamakū courses using a technique called “parallel working” (i.e. body doubling), a productivity-boosting technique that thrives on shared accountability and presence.
Mahalo for trusting in the ID unit to assist you in your transition to Lamakū! Brent, Chelby, Lauren, and Rachael appreciate all the kindness and support you’ve given to them. They look forward to working with you in the Spring and hearing how Lamakū is going for you and your students.
In a collaborative effort within the Educational Media Center units, we developed a new way to support faculty and staff using our campus technology equipment via a pilot project called, Technology Tool Profiles.
The pilot is focused on our campus’ Technology Enhanced Classroom (TEC) technologies. Each technology tool profile features an introduction, an interactive visual, an example of how it can be applied to active learning, optional print blank note cards, and supporting documentation. Here’s a quick video example:
Please explore the website and learn about the four ways it can be leveraged to support your learning. Then, submit your feedback to help us improve on this resource.
TEC Orientation
If you would like to attend an in-person orientation after viewing the TEC tools shared on the Technology Tool Profiles website on Friday, August 23, 2024 at 3 PM, please RSVP. The first ten people to show up will receive a professionally printed pack of TEC Quick Cards.
The DE Course R&R: (Re)design and Review Pilot Program has completed its one-year term (2022-2023) of three cohorts and a fast-track group. This pilot program was intended to ensure and improve existing and newly becoming DE courses to meet Leeward’s DE Guidelines and accreditation requirements. During the program, DE instructors were guided through a course design process by the EMC’s Instructional Designers. After weeks of hard work, they created a high-quality DE course that they could be 100% confident is “Ready for Delivery” (“RFD”)—meaning, a course that aligns with our Leeward CC DE Guidelines and has passed a team course review.
We would like to acknowledge the following 21 completers who have created “RFD” DE courses and their commitment to quality DE courses at Leeward. What an accomplishment! 🎉
Fall 2022 R&R
Ann Berner (LA) – ENG 100
Anuschka Faucci (M&S) – ZOOL 200
Jessie Hoffman (M&S) – OCN 201L
Sharolyn Pastor (LA) – SP 151
Evelyn Wong (BUS) – ACC 132
Spring 2023 R&R
Donald Carreira-Ching (LA) – ENG 100
Chris Rho (BUS) – BUS 101
William Wright (M&S) – ICS 170
Spring 2023 Fast-Track
Eunice Brekke (SS) – SOC 251
Merissa Bunton (LA) – SP 151
Cara Chang (LA) – ENG 100
Anika Gearhart (SS) – PSY 212
Bruce Lindquist (SS) – GEO 101
Heather McCafferty (M&S) – AG 100
Marie McKenzie (SS) – GEO 101L
Janet Wang-Lee (M&S) – BIOL 100
Susan Wood (LA) – ENG 100
Summer 2023 R&R
Lilian Rebamonte-Smith (SS) – ED 330
Dayle Turner (LA) – ENG 100
Sheri Wang (BUS) – ACC 124
Igor Nikitin (M&S) – MATH 135
A big mahalo to our DE Leads over the semesters for their collaboration and partnership in the development of the program and for their coordination of the course review phase.
Kelsie Aguilera (SS)
Evelyn Wong (BUS)
Cara Chang (LA)
We will be taking a short break as we look to refine and improve the pilot program into a regularly offered summer program. Stay tuned!
Gloria Niles, Director of Online Learning at UH ITS, presented an update about the LMS replacement during the UH IT All-Campus Workshop on July 28, 2023. Read on for a brief recap and access the full presentation recording and presentation slides.
Where We Were
We’ve been with Laulima (Sakai) for about 15 years. A main concern of continuing with Sakai is that it’s down about 1.5% of the market share. Developers have left and the most recent version we are on will likely be the last version of Sakai. Therefore, third-party systems neglect to integrate with Sakai and we won’t be getting updates which may also pose security vulnerabilities.
In Spring 2023, UH went through a LMS Review phase to help make a decision on if we should replace Laulima (Sakai). During the LMS review, three vendors/platforms (i.e. Anthology Blackboard Learn Ultra, D2L Brightspace, and Instructure Canvas) were reviewed by the UH community to see what is currently out there. Strengths and concerns of Laulima and the three platforms were summarized in the LMS Report. The report was submitted to the UH Officers in May 2023 with a recommendation to transition away from Laulima. The decision was made to replace Laulima.
Where We Are Now
UH is going out for a full RFP (request for proposals). Some of the features we are looking for include:
Modern functionality – mobile app, responsive design, robust tools for teaching and learning
Systemwide LMS – Sakai, RCUH, etc. Move everyone under one platform.
Content migration from Sakai
Vendor-university partnership evidence – responsive to customer feedback, professional development, training, and support
ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi language pack
Integration with our other systems like Banner, PeopleSoft, etc.
Accessibility
Standard features such as: assessment of learning outcomes, dynamic learner engagement features, feedback and grading efficiencies, third-party app integration, and more.
Optional features that we could add-on/purchase: interactive multimedia content, digital badging capabilities, generative AI integration, OER, and more.
Where We Are Heading
Projected Timeline for 2023:
August: RFP out for bid
September: Proposals received and vetted
October: Proposal evaluation and scoring
November: Contract awarded
December: Announce new LMS
Tentative Implementation Strategy
Goal: Full migration to new LMS for all courses by Fall 2025.
Fall 2024: Cohort 1 migration
Spring 2025: Cohort 1 implementation and Cohort 2 migration
Summer 2025: Transition to Laulima archive. New LMS full implementation.
A guest blog post by Tasha Williams Moses, formerly an English instructor and currently the Tutoring Services Coordinator.
Due to the global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, continuing and prospective Leeward students face unprecedented challenges with online learning and have many questions. As the 2021 OER Leeward OER Creation Incentive Award recipient, I’ve created a 10-part video series to assist students with navigating online learning during the pandemic and beyond.
I designed this project due to my interactions with students in online classrooms and tutoring services. They have encountered new academic, financial, and emotional difficulties due to the challenges of writing in online environments. The pandemic has exacerbated many socio-economic challenges, and this equitable and inclusive approach addresses topics students face who are affected by the digital divide.
With a focus on online and hybrid writing classrooms, the series aims to help students who are grappling with developing their writing skills amid the ongoing fallout of the pandemic. The video series can assist ENG 100 students and instructors with the following:
Write a structured academic essay
Analyze and apply text(s) to logically support an argument
Apply reading, writing, and critical thinking strategies in other contexts
Apply study skills to improve learning
It was a great collaboration with the EMC! This was my first venture into recording educational videos. Camden and his video production team were really insightful and helpful throughout the whole process. You can access the series playlist on the Leeward Writing Center’s YouTube channel or click the links to the individual videos below. They are licensed CC BY-NC so feel free to use them.
Do you combine multiple sections of a course in Laulima? Please note that due to FERPA concerns raised by the UH Data Governance Office, ITS has revised their request process for cross-listing or combining Laulima sites. You will find new guidance language on the Laulima site request page that reflects how faculty could request to combine their courses while still being FERPA compliant.
Here’re the highlights relevant to you for Fall 2022:
Dissemination mode vs. Collaboration mode: this distinction was necessary to ensure that students are fully aware (and have an option to withdraw) before the start of the semester if there is cross-CRN collaboration.
Combined sites in Dissemination mode are used for disseminating announcements and providing course content only: (a) Don’t use the Email tool since it shows names and email addresses of students in all CRNs, in violation of FERPA. (b) Discussion/Forum groups cannot be formed across CRNs.
Combined sites in Collaboration mode can use the Email tool and other collaborative activities (such as discussions/forums) across CRNs, but need to include in the syllabus, “This course space is being shared by students in the following CRNs [list] and if you do not wish to be in a shared course space, please drop this section and register for another section of this course.”
Submit your request to combine sites by August 18, 2022, if you plan to use the collaboration mode.
Note that in future semesters, you will need to submit a request before the registration begins if your combined sites will operate in the collaboration mode.
Due to the global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, continuing and prospective Leeward students face unprecedented challenges with online learning and have many questions. As the