External Tools

Approved external digital tools (third party software) can be added to Canvas to add new features or functionality, such as publisher materials and specialized tools. CSU has a number of external tool integrations with Canvas. These integrations usually use an LTI (Learning Tool Interoperability) to connect these tools to Canvas.

Most approved external tools are added to a course module or an assignment in Canvas.

A few select external tools (Echo360, Pearson, Macmillan) can be added to the left course navigation.

  • Approved External Tools and Support
    Tool NamePurpose Who 
    Pays Cost 
    Who Can Use  User Support: 
    ALEKS (Chem)Chemistry homework toolStudent e-text purchaseNatural SciencesAleks Support
    ARES eReserveIntegrate eReservesLibraryAll CampusCSU e-Reserve Support
    Attendance RollcallTake classroom attendanceIncluded with CanvasAll CampusRoll Call Guides
    BadgrAssign badges for complete tasksCSU OnlineCSU OnlineBadgr Support
    Big Blue ButtonPart of the Conferences toolIncluded with CanvasAll Campus
    BongoLearnVideo feedbackLicensed for CLA Languages onlyCLA Languages coursesBongoLearn Support
    CengageHomework platformStudent e-text purchaseAll CampusCengage Support
    CVMBS Anatomy LTIsSpecies specific interactive anatomy toolFreeCVMBSSee College
    Design Tools CidilabsPage design, images, multi toolCSU OnlineAll CampusCidiLabs Design Tools Support
    Echo 360Lecture captureCentral ITAll CampusCSU Echo360 help
    FlatWorld Homework COBFlatworld HomeworkOnline homework platform requested by COBStudent purchase
    GoReactVideo feedbackStudent pays fee /course to useAll CampusGoReact Support
    Great River Publishinge-textsStudent e-text purchaseAll CampusGreat River Support
    iClickerClassroom response systemUTFAB paid for studentsAll CampusiClicker Support
    Kaltura COBVideo Content PlatformCOB, CSU OnlineCOB, CSU OnlineKaltura Knowledge Base
    LibApps GuidesAdd CSU designed library guidesLibraryAll CampusCSU Research Support
    LinkedIn LearningBusiness, technology-related, and creative skills trainingCSUAll CampusLinkedIn Learning Support
    Macmillan Learn LaunchPadInteractive e-text platformStudent e-text purchaseAll CampusMacmillan Learn Support
    mashmeDistance student in classroom experienceCOBCOBMashMe Support
    McGraw Hill ConnectOnline content and assignmentsStudent e-text purchaseAll CampusMcGraw Hill Support
    NameCoachProvide pronunciation recording, preferred pronouns, and honorifics for each userCSUAll CampusNameCoach Support
    Norton SmartWork (CHEM)Online homework system, used mostly by CHEMStudent e-text purchaseAll CampusSmartWork Support
    Microsoft Office 365Collaboration toolCentral ITAll CampusCanvas Collaboration Guide
    Pearson MyLab & RevealOnline content and assignmentsStudent e-text purchaseAll CampusPearson Support
    PiazzaDynamic discussion toolStarting spring 2021 students pay to useAll CampusPiazza Support
    PlayPosit COBInteractive contentCOBCOBPlayPosit Community
    ReadSpeaker/docReaderText-to-speech toolATRCAll CampusCSU ReadSpeaker Support
    RespondusExam integrityCentral ITCampus RI coursesRespondus Support
    Rubin Educatione-text Business communication skillsStudent e-text purchaseAll CampusRubin Canvas Support
    Sage Vantage COBe-text requested by COBStudent e-text purchaseAll CampusSage Vantage Support
    SIMNet McGraw HillMicrosoft Office tutorial/trainingStudent e-text purchaseCOB and upon requestSIMnet Overview
    SmartEvalsCampus course survey softwareTesting CenterAll CampusCourse Survey Support
    SmartSparrow CVMBSAdaptive learning toolStudent e-text purchaseCVMBSSmartSparrow Resources
    True+Way ASLASL Course curriculumCLAASL CoursesTRUE+WAY
    TurnitInAnti-plagiarism, learn how to cite properlyCentral ITAll CampusCSU TurnItIn Information
    U-BehaviorQuiz analyticsFreeBy request
    UDoItAccessibility checkerCSU OnlineAll CampusCanvas Accessibility at CSU
    Verba VitalSource BookstoreeResource managementAllow students to opt out of e-texts purchaseAll CampusInclusive Access Support
    Vista Higher Learninge-text platformStudent e-text purchaseCLA – LLCVista Higher Learning Support
    WebAssign (Math Physics)e-text and homework platformStudent e-text purchaseCNSWebAssign Support
    WileyPluse-text platformStudent e-text purchaseAll CampusWileyPlus Support
    YellowdigInteractive discussion toolStudent PayAll CampusYellowDig Support
    zyBooksHomework platform for Computer Science coursesStudent e-text purchaseAll CampuszyBooks Support
  • External Tools Under Review
    Tool NamePurposeWhich College Requested
    ExamSoftExam creation, delivery, and analyticsCVMBS
    Gradescope TiiGrading tool that allows for handwritten submission digitalization and automatic gradingCSU
    CHEM 101Chemistry homework and assessment toolNatural Sciences
    ClioVisVisualization tool for mind-mapping, timelines, and presentationsLiberal Arts
    LyryxAssessment tool for Math, Economics and BusinessNatural Sciences
    MATLAB GraderAutomated MATLAB code gradingEngineering
    OneNoteCollaboration toolNatural Sciences
    PadletDigital bulletin boardCVMBS
    RamMobileIntegration with CSU mobile appDiv of IT
    Willo LabsDelivery method for LTIsNatural Sciences
    TopHat eBookInteractive textbook and course materialsLiberal Arts
  • External Tools Not Approved
    Tool NamePurposeWhich College RequestedReason for not approving
    Bb AllyAccessibility checkerATRCHave UDoIt – cost
    EAB NavigateStudent success managementCSANo LTI
    Evolvee-Text for ElsevierCVMBSCSU uses Unizin Engage for eText reader
    Film Platform COBFilm streamingBusinessProxy Server Required – otherwise only on campus viewing
    Google AssignmentsAssignment integrationDiv of ITCSU has moved to MS Office 365
    Hypothesis.isAnnotation toolCSU OnlineCost
    MacMillan RedShelf eTexte-TextLiberal ArtsCSU uses Unizin Engage for eText reader
    MS TeamsIntegrate meetings into Canvas calendarDiv of ITComplexity of integration
    My Educatore-TextBusinessRequest withdrawn
    OfficeMixPPT add-on for interactivityTILTData privacy concerns
    Oxford U Presse-TextLiberal ArtsCSU uses Unizin Engage for eText reader
    Perusall COBAnnotation toolBusinessCSU uses Unizin Engage for eText reader
    RedirectExternal resources as navigation itemsLiberal ArtsCSU prefers to have external tools linked under modules
    TopHate-Text & in-class responseDiv of ITiClicker selected as campus classroom response tool
    Turning TechnologiesStudent achievement dataDiv of ITiClicker selected as campus classroom response tool
    Zoom Web ConferenceVirtual MeetingsDiv of ITLack of campus standard for webconferencing
  • Request External Tools and LTIs

    If you are interested in having an external tool evaluated for inclusion in Canvas, please review and follow the steps for CSU’s external tool process with your College Canvas Coordinator.