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Canvas

Canvas Integrations (LTI)

Learning Tools Interoperability is an education technology specification developed by the 1EdTech Consortium (formerly known as IMS Global). It specifies a method for learning management systems to communicate with external systems. These tools are essentially “plugins” that provide extended functionality within Canvas.

List of LTI tools and current status

Because student data may be sent and received through LTIs, requests for LTIs must be reviewed and approved.

The approval process for each tool will include reviews for Functionality, Accessibility, Security, FERPA, Legal, Cost, Data Security, as well as other factors.

LTIs and publisher tools cannot be added to Canvas until after the review is complete and approved. There is no guarantee an LTI and/or a Publisher Tool will be available for a specific quarter. Further, you should not write in the use of any proposed LTIs into grants, until the review process is complete, and the tool has been approved for integration.  If you write in the tool into a grant, and the tool is not approved, this may place your grant in jeopardy.

  • On average, a review will take 6 to 12 months, however, under the current UC system guidance, the process regularly extends well beyond 12 months.
  • LTIs that duplicate current services will likely not be approved. (See list above for the services presently available)
  • Once a tool is approved, the requester will be notified.
  • If a tool is not approved, the requester will be notified of the reasons, and alternate options will be suggested (if applicable).
  • If the desired LTI is not already on the List of LTI Tools, please utilize the LTI Service Request form to submit a formal request.

For additional context, the review process consists of three main components and the tool will not be approved for use without the finalization and approval of all associated components.

  • Appendix DS (UC Wide Data Security Governance contract, between the campus, and the vendor)
    • This ensures data security practices follow, at minimum, University of California requirements.
    • This provides a level of assurance that the UC is protected in the event a vendor tool is compromised by a malicious actor in the event of a data breach.
  • Cyber Liability Insurance Requirement
    • The UC requires $10 million in Cyber Liability insurance from vendors in order to approve the integration from a data security perspective.
  • UC Terms and Conditions
    • The vendor and the UC must reach an agreement on contractual language as it pertains to Terms and Conditions on the use of the software.

Process for Adopting Technology Tools with Student-Paid Subscriptions

This process outlines the requirements for faculty who plan to use academic technology tools in their courses that require student-paid subscriptions. To ensure transparency and compliance with federal regulations, any associated costs must be included in course fees and reported to the Office of the Registrar.

1. Course Fee Transparency

Faculty who intend to integrate paid tools, software, or materials into their courses must ensure that all costs to students are formally included in the course service fees.

• Key Requirement:

Faculty must consult with their department’s FAO or FOM before proposing a new Course Materials Fee (CMF) or modifying an existing one. CMF fees are calculated by dividing the total cost of materials to be recovered by the anticipated course enrollment. For more information on course material fees, please visit fpa.ucr.edu/processes#student-fees.

• Student Notification: Once approved, course fees must be clearly stated in the syllabus and communicated to students before the term begins.

Fees will also be published in:

• The Schedule of Classes (https://registrationssb.ucr.edu/) under “Course Material Fees”

• The Registrar’s Course Service Fees page (https://registrar.ucr.edu/tuition-fees/course-service) For more details, refer to the UCR Course Materials and Services Fees Policy.

2. Obtaining Funding

Faculty seeking to use paid tools for instructional purposes may explore the following funding options:

• Student Technology Fee (STF) proposals • Departmental or college-level funding through the Chair or Dean’s office

3. Use of Grant Funds

If a technology tool will be funded through a grant, faculty must consult with XCITE and ITS before submitting the proposal. This helps avoid situations where a tool is written into the grant but ultimately fails UC security requirements during the Vendor Risk Assessment process.

4. Technology Tools Review Timeline

Be aware: The review process for educational tools can take 8–12 months, including security, accessibility, and insurance compliance (UCOP cyber liability requirements). Plan accordingly.

Questions?

For questions about including tools in course fees:

• Contact your departmental FAO or FOM

• Or email the XCITE Center for Teaching & Learning at xcite@ucr.edu

If you have any questions about how to use these LTIs, please contact UCR’s XCITE Center for Teaching and Learning via email at xcite-help@ucr.edu.

For technical assistance, please contact UCR ITS at https://ithelp.ucr.edu.