Evaluating a New Tech Tool

Are you inspired to use a new technology tool to improve student engagement and learning?

There are important factors to consider when planning to adopt a new technology tool in your course. Your intention may be to advance your teaching and learning goals, however, for any new tool you plan to use, we owe it to students to consider what the tool requires them to learn and do. Additionally, the University has policies and standards about information security and data privacy to which vendors may not comply. Protecting University student data and University intellectual property is everyone's responsibility.

Challenge

Instructors are often approached by vendors that offer "free" use of licensed and/or paid tools. If you are considering using new technology tools to integrate into your teaching practice, how do you know if it is secure? Will it work effectively with the University's learning ecosystem?

Solution

Ask yourself and the vendor questions!

There are numerous technology tools available to use for teaching and learning at the University of Minnesota. Before adopting any tool, it is important to evaluate it based on the categories below. Within each category, there are specific questions you can ask to help you determine if it will be appropriate for your course. Open each accordion to reveal the questions for that category. 

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Pedagogy

  • What pedagogical purpose does this tool serve in relation to the course curriculum or learning goals?
    • How often will students use it? Once or several times? If students are only going to use it once, consider your (or their) need for this tool. Is it worth the cognitive load and time investment to engage with and learn the tool if you are only using it once? 
    • How does it enhance student interaction/cooperation/learning?
    • How does it make your instructional work easier?
    • Are you willing to add information about the use of this technology to your syllabus (Accessible Syllabus Checklist)?
  • Are there tools already supported through the UMN that do similar things? (See Find Canvas Learning Tools). 
    • What tools do we already have that may do something similar?  Keep in mind students do not like to pay for functionality that Canvas provides, nor do they like to track and sign into other software that’s not officially connected with their UMN account. 

If you are unsure, we recommend you discuss your pedagogical purposes and needs for this technology tool with a knowledgeable support group. Get Advicecontact your local academic technology support, or contact central IT Academic Technology Support Services

Tool Support

 

  • How committed are you to this tool?  
    • Do you have funding for this tool after a free trial period?  
    • Do you see others in your department using it?  
    • Do you think there are others at the University that might use it in the future? 
    • Will you ever want it integrated into other systems, i.e. Canvas?
  • While the University provides full support of UMN licensed tools, it is not able to provide support for non-UMN licensed tools.
  • Does the tool you are considering have vendor support?
    • How long have they been providing and supporting this tool?
    • Have you reviewed their online support documentation? 
      • Can you easily find answers to technical questions that both you and your students might ask?
      • Send in a help request to the vendor.  How long does it take to get an answer?  How good was the answer?
    • How willing are you to help students with any technical issues?

Accessibility

 

  • Is it accessible to all students?
  • Will students with adaptive technologies (screen readers or keyboard navigators) be able to access the tool? If not, do you have a backup plan to support them? 
  • Will students be able to use it on a mobile device or on a special app?

 

Data Practices

  • How does the tool handle data security? Are you or the developers aware of any potential data breaches?
    • Do students need to create a separate account to use the tool?  If so, can it be done through our UMN google login?
    • What data is the student required to enter to use the tool?
    • Are they going to sell or share student data with other vendors?
    • How can the student interact with their data (can they hide it, remove consent to use or sell)? 
    • Who owns the student’s data?
    • How does the tool protect student identity? 
    • Can your account be deleted and all data is removed?
  • Does the tool take FERPA regulations into account?
    • Ask the vendor to complete the University of Minnesota FERPA Acknowledgement for Supplier document. If the vendor does not complete the agreement, the license must be reviewed by the Office of the General Counsel.
    • NOTE: If a tool is going to be integrated into Canvas the vendor must sign the University's FERPA agreement.
    • If the tool requests access to personal information, enrollment records, student exams or papers, grades or schedules then it is probably not abiding by FERPA regulations. 

If you are unsure of the vendor’s data practices and want a consultation or a vendor review, contact University Information Security at [email protected]

Is it really free?

  • What is the cost? While it may be free now, how long does that grace period last? 
  • If it is free, does that allow unlimited use or access to all functions, or is there a cost to getting the “full package?”
  • If it will require payment, will your department commit funds to pay for it?  If not, will it pass extra costs on to students? 
  • If you think this is something that would be innovative for the whole University, then connect with Get Help or the Canvas Learning Tools Integration process to begin the external tools approval process or the Get Help .

If you have questions, contact your local Academic Technologist or Academic Technology Support Services.