Creating a Matrix

Creating a matrix involves multiple steps:

  1. Creating a framework for the matrix.
  2. Setting up the cells.
  3. Publishing the matrix.

Step 1: Creating the Framework

To create the framework for a matrix, access the Matrices tool and follow these steps:

  1. If the Matrices home page is not displayed, click the Reset button.
  2. In the Matrices menu bar near the top of the screen, click the Add button. Sakai displays the Add Matrix screen.
  3. In the appropriate boxes, enter a title for the matrix and a description of its purpose. Only the Title entry is required. Caution: Choose the title carefully. After publishing a matrix, you cannot change its title.
  4. Choose one of the following options:
    • To apply Sakai's default style to this matrix, skip this step and proceed directly to step 6.
    • To apply another style to this matrix, click Select Style. Sakai displays the Manage Styles screen.
      • This screen lists the styles available for use in your matrices.
  5. Click the Select link for the style you want to apply to this matrix. Sakai redisplays the Add Matrix screen. The name of the style you chose is displayed in the Style box. Or, to return to that screen without selecting a style, click Go Back.
  6. To add a column, click Add Column. Sakai displays the Editing Scaffold Column screen.
  7. In the Name box, enter a name for display in the column header. Keep in mind that shorter names for columns allow for better use of screen space.
  8. To select a background color for this column other than the default (gray), click the color palette icon for the Background Color box. When Sakai displays color choices, click the background color you want.
  9. To select a color for the text in this column other than the default (black), click the color palette icon for the Font Color box. When Sakai displays color choices, click the text color you want.
  10. To save your work on this column, click Update. Sakai displays the Add Matrix screen, including information for the column you have just created. Or to return to the Add Matrix screen without adding this column, click Cancel.
  11. Repeat steps 6 - 10 as needed to create the remaining columns for your matrix. Caution: Think carefully about the number of columns in the matrix. After publishing a matrix, you cannot change the number of columns it contains.
  12. To change terminology to something other than the word "Column," enter the term you prefer in the Column Label box.
  13. To add a row, click Add Row. Sakai displays the Editing Scaffold Row screen.
  14. In the Name box, enter a name for display in the row header.
  15. To select a background color for this row other than the default (gray), click the color palette icon for the Background Color box. When Sakai displays color choices, click the background color you want.
  16. To select a color for the text in this row other than the default (black), click the color palette icon for the Font Color box. When Sakai displays color choices, click the text color you want.
  17. To save your work on this row, click Update. Sakai displays the Add Matrix screen, including information for the row you have just created. Or to return to the Add Matrix screen without adding this row, click Cancel.
  18. Repeat steps 13 - 17 as needed to create the remaining rows for the matrix. Caution: Think carefully about the number of rows in the matrix. After publishing a matrix, you cannot change the number of rows it contains.
  19. To change terminology to something other than the word "Row," enter the term you prefer in the Row Label box.
  20. Under Matrix Presentation, click the appropriate radio button to select the way you want participants to work through the cells in the matrix.
  21. Under Matrix Status Colors, select colors to indicate the status of each cell in the matrix.



    Status Meaning
    Ready This cell is available for site participant work.
    Pending The participant has submitted this cell for evaluation.
    Completed This cell has been evaluated.
    Locked This cell is not available for site participant work at this time.


  22. To save your work, click Save Changes. Or, to exit without adding a new matrix, click Cancel.

    If you clicked Save Changes, Sakai saves your changes and displays the new matrix on the Revise Matrix screen.

    Note the following:
    • The matrix title you specified in step 3 is displayed in the top left corner of the table. If you entered a description in that step, it is displayed above the table.
    • The column names, background colors, and text colors you entered in steps 6 - 11 are displayed in the column headers.
    • The row names and colors you entered in steps 13 - 18 are displayed in the row headers.
    • The legend shows the colors you selected to indicate various states.
    • In this example, all cells of the matrix are green, indicating (according to the legend) that they are ready for use.

Step 2: Setting up Cells

To set up cells for a matrix, access the Matrices tool and follow these steps:

  1. If the Matrices home page is not displayed, click the Reset button.
  2. Find the matrix you want to work on and click the Revise link beneath its name. Sakai displays the Revise Matrix screen.
  3. Click the desired cell.
    • Sakai displays the Revise Cell screen.
    • Sakai has automatically entered a title for this cell. The default title includes the name of both the column and row that intersect at this cell.
  4. Change the title of the cell, if needed. An entry in the Title box is required.
  5. Enter a description (objectives, etc.) of the cell, if needed.
  6. In the Initial Status box, select either Ready or Locked to indicate whether this cell is to be available to participants as soon as the matrix is published.
  7. To apply a style to this cell, see "Step 1: Creating the Framework," step 4, above.
  8. Add the following as needed:
    • Forms for structuring site participant work in this cell.
    • Instructions, rationale, and examples of work relevant to this cell, including uploaded files.
    • Forms for collecting participant reflections on their work in this cell.
    • Forms for structuring reviewer feedback on participant work in this cell.
    • Forms for evaluation of work after this cell has been submitted for evaluation.
    • Names of evaluators
  9. To save your work, click Save Changes. Sakai displays the Revise Matrix screen. Or, to return to this screen without saving your entries, click Cancel.
  10. To set up other cells in the matrix, repeat steps 3- 9.

Step 3: Publishing the Matrix

Publishing a matrix makes it available for use by site participants. To publish a matrix, access the Matrices tool and follow these steps:

  1. If the Matrices home page is not displayed, click the Reset button.
  2. Find the matrix you want to work on and click the Publish link beneath its name. Sakai displays the Revise Matrix screen.
  3. To publish the matrix, click Continue. Sakai publishes the matrix and displays the Matrices home page. Or, to return to the home page without publishing the matrix, click Cancel.