External Tools
Request a New External Tool for the LMS
External tools, also known as digital tools, third-party tools, paired content, and LTIs, can be requested for inclusion into the Learning Management System (LMS) to enhance the teaching and learning environment. This includes publishers of etexts and digital assignments and quizzes, collaborative annotation tools, and accessibility checkers.
When an instructor or department requests that a new external tool be evaluated for possible use and inclusion within the Learning Management System within the 吃瓜官网 System, input from the department chair, dean, or supervisor is required to review the request from a departmental perspective. The Departmental Review Form must be submitted as an attachment to the .
Once the completed External Tool Request form is received, the tool must then go through and pass an accessibility, cybersecurity, and legal review before the tool can be approved and installed within the LMS. This entire process can take up to 6-8 weeks for each tool request. Due to the time commitment required for each tool review, the following request dates must be followed for a tool to be considered for inclusion within the LMS.
New Tool Request Deadlines
March 15 - last day to submit a request for the upcoming summer semester
April 15 - last day to submit a request for the upcoming fall semester
October 15 - last day to submit a request for the upcoming spring semester
Currently Approved External Tools at 吃瓜官网 - Canvas
A list of the currently approved external tools in Canvas and their support documentation is provided below.
| Tool Name | Purpose | Who Can Use | User Support |
| ExPrep Grader | Automated assessment and grading | Campuswide | |
| NetTutor | Online tutoring and academic support | Extended Studies | |
| WileyPlus | Publisher courseware/eTextbooks | Campuswide | |
| W.W. Norton | Digital textbooks and publisher content | Campuswide | |
| Hypothes.is | Collaborative annotation tool | Campuswide | |
| Oxford Learning Link (OLL) | Digital textbooks and publisher content | Campuswide | |
| Codon Learning | STEM content and supplemental coursework | Campuswide | |
Currently Approved External Tools at 吃瓜官网 - Blackboard
A list of the currently approved external tools in Blackboard and their support documentation is provided below.
| Tool Name | Purpose | IT Knowledgebase Article | Vendor-provided Support |
| ALEKS | Online learning and assessment for math/chemistry/statistics. | None | |
| Ally from Anthology | Course content review tool for accessibility, provides alternate formats for course materials | None | |
| Apporto | Browser-based virtual labs and desktops | ||
| Argos | Adaptive digital courses |
None
|
|
| Cengage | Third-party publisher, etext and digital lesson provider | ||
| Elsevier Evolve | Third-party publisher, E-texts |
None
|
|
| ExPrep Grader | Automated assessment and grading |
None
|
|
| Harris Learning | Digital curriculum and student progress tracking | None | |
| Hypothes.is | Social annotation and collaborative reading tool | None | |
| Knewton | Adaptive-learning courseware integration | None | |
| Macmillan | Third-party publisher, etext and digital lesson provider | ||
| McGraw Hill Connect | Third-party publisher, etext and digital lesson provider | ||
| McGraw Hill SIMnet | Third-party publisher, etext and digital lesson provider | ||
| myBusinessCourse | Business-focused learning modules and assignments | None | |
| Nearpod | Interactive lessons/slides | None | |
| Norton | Publisher digital resources and textbooks | None | |
| Oxford IWS | Interactive digital textbooks, exercises | None | |
| Pearson | Third-party publisher, etext and digital lesson provider | ||
| Perusall | Social annotation & collaborative reading | None | |
| VitalSource | eTextbook / digital textbook platform | None | |
| Wiley | Publisher courseware / eTextbooks | None | |
| Willolabs | Digital course materials access | None | |
| Zoom | Video-conferencing tool | None | |
Request Process for a New External Tool
The following process must be followed to request that a new external tool be evaluated for inclusion within the LMS. The following processes was presented to and approved by IT Governance for the 吃瓜官网 System in 2025.
- form in Freshservice is submitted: The following information or documents must be attached to the form submission for the tool review to be completed: accessibility reports (usually a VPAT Accessibility Conformance Report from the vendor), cybersecurity documentation (usually a completed HECVAT or SOC 2 certification from the vendor), and Department Review form.
- Departmental Reviews: Simultaneously, the tool is reviewed for risks to cybersecurity, accessibility, and changes within the LMS.
- External Tool Agreement and Legal Review: Once departmental reviews are completed, then the External Tool Agreement will be sent to the vendor to sign. If edits are requested, the form must then be routed to the 吃瓜官网 System Office of General Counsel to review, which can take 14-21 business days to complete.
- LMS Testing and Installation: Once the External Tool Agreement is signed by both parties, the LMS Admin team can install the tool in our test environment for testing, then complete the install in production if no issues are detected, and closeout the completed request.
