Are you considering using third party tools with students?

The Learntech Team note that staff who are exploring new tools with their students should undertake a number of considerations when these are being reviewed:

Always start with the reason for the tool and have a chat with your Learning Technologist in the first instance. There may already be licensed and/or supported tools which will satisfy your needs.

Ensure that the tools are accessible for all students – complete an Equality Impact Analysis to obtain guidance with this.

Ensure that use of the tool is inline with data protection regulations – complete a Privacy Impact Assessment to obtain prompt questions. Please also review this useful GDPR blog post

Review the guidance on using unsupported or external tools, and the University guidelines on use of external web (cloud) services.

Ensure that use of the tool is sustainable (i.e. is tool support only localised with one person?) What will happen if the tool is withdrawn in the future or the cost becomes prohibitive?

Students should be fully aware who is providing support for the tool to ensure they address the correct support desk.

Any tool which is used for summative assessment should comply with University regulations on retention of content / student engagement.

The University Digital Steering Group makes decisions on the tools which are fully supported by the University; which are recognised but not fully supported; and which are not to be used.

If in doubt then please contact Rob.Howe@northampton.ac.uk for further guidance.