Want to use an app or online service in your teaching which is not supported by the University? This guide explains what to consider first.

“Supported” means that iSolutions and Procurement have assured that a service is safe to use, centrally procured, we maintain a relationship with the company and provide support for it. We always strive for supported tools to be as accessible and sustainable as possible.

A note about software: iSolutions provides a wide range of applications for members of the University. If you want to know more about what software is available please visit the page Current software and where it's available.

Introduction

While there are over 500 IT services provided for the University of Southampton (UoS), there's often an exciting new tool available that you might want to use, or an alternative that you would prefer.

On this page we explain:

1. What should you think about before using a tool that isn’t provided by the University?
2. What are the main learning and teaching tools provided at UoS and what are their typical uses, what are we currently piloting, and what “unsupported tools” have we reviewed?
3. How do we evaluate unsupported tools that might be piloted in the future.

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What should you think about before using a tool that is not provided by the University?

The Digital Learning team has produced the infographic below to explain what you should consider before using an unsupported tool.

 

Please note: at the bottom of the page you will find the text alternative to the graphic previously shown above this sentence. The information listed is the same.

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Key learning and teaching tools provided at UoS

What are the key learning and teaching tools provided at UoS and what are their typical uses, what are we currently piloting, and what “unsupported tools” have we reviewed?

The Digital Learning team created the below graphic to show:

1. What are the main “supported” tools for learning and teaching at UoS?
   1. “Supported” means that it is safe to use, centrally procured, we maintain a relationship with the company and provide support for it.
      
      
2. Which tools are currently “in pilot” for learning and teaching purposes?
   1. Pilots tend to be short defined periods where a tool is tested by a group of stakeholders to identify whether it meets certain criteria agreed at the start of the pilot.
      
      
3. Higher scoring unsupported tools and Lower scoring unsupported tools.
   1. The Digital Learning team designed a method for assessing unsupported tools against a range of criteria. The graphic shows examples of tools that scored at a higher or lower level. Inclusion of these tools in the graphic does not mean that we endorse their use, but does indicate tools we may consider for future pilots.
      
      
4. The above are mapped to different use cases:

1. 1. Video: a tool that supports the use of audio-visual materials. 
   2. Collaboration: a tool that supports collaboration between members of the University, and potentially external collaborators 
   3. Content Curation: a tool that allows you to present content you or others have created 
   4. Summative Assessment: a tool that assists with summative  assessment. Only supported tools should ever be used for summative assessment. 
   5. Formative Assessment: a tool that assists with formative assessment or surveys.  
   6. Content Creation*: a tool that supports you in the creation of content.
      * There are some content creation tools with licences at cost such as Articulate or Course Arc. Contact ServiceLine for more information.

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List of supported, piloting, and unsupported key learning tools

What are the key learning and teaching tools provided at the University of Southampton (UoS) and what are their typical uses, what are we currently piloting, and what “unsupported tools” have we reviewed?

 

Please note: at the bottom of the page you will find the text alternative to the graphic previously shown above this sentence. The information listed is the same.

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How do we assess unsupported tools that might be piloted in the future?

To help us evaluate unsupported tools, the Digital Learning team agreed on eleven criteria.

Each criterion has a score. The score is achieved when the criterion is met. The total score informs us when we look at tools that might provide functionality to meet specific learning and teaching needs and may be used to suggest tools for future pilots.

What are the criteria?

1. Is the tool available without a monetary fee?
2. Is the tool available without time limits on its use? 
3. Is advertising displayed when using the tool? 
4. Does a user have to provide personal, special category or sensitive information before they can use the tool? 
5. Does a user have to create an account in order to use the tool? 
6. Can a user log in to the tool using a Microsoft 365 account? 
7. The tool does not replicate functionality already available in a supported tool.
8. The tool has an accessibility statement. 
9. The accessibility statement reports no significant accessibility issues. 
10. If no accessibility statement is available, the tool passes a light accessibility check.
11. Use of the tool does not mean you lose moral or intellectual property rights over content you create using the tool. 

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Conclusion

We want to work with staff to discover and understand what unsupported tools you are using, and work as a trusted partner to support new tools, create pilots to evaluate tools or find other ways to deliver better experiences than we find.

Contact the Digital Learning via ServiceLine if you have suggestions or questions or if this article has not answered your question.

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Text alternatives to graphics used on this page

Infographic: Thinking of using an “unsupported tool”?

Want to use an app or online service in your teaching which is not provided by the University? This guide explains what to consider first.

1. Would a “supported” tool facilitate your aims?

1. The University provides many tools and services. To find out what we provide, check the iSolutions website or ask ServiceLine.
2. “Supported” means that it is safe to use, centrally procured, we maintain a relationship with the company and provide support for it.

2. Have you followed University policies?

Before using an unsupported tool for a University activity:

1. Complete the Initial Data Protection Review Form. Await a response before proceeding.
2. If you will buy the tool, involve procurement as early as possible, even for low value purchases.

3. Is the tool sustainable?

Be savvy about ‘freemium’ services. Consider the risks of a tool changing without notice:

• Avoid making the use of an unsupported app or tool a single point of failure for the success of your activity.
• Plan what you will do if the pricing model or functionality changes.
• Discuss what you will do if a colleague or student accidentally deletes data and there is no back up.
• Tell colleagues and students that ServiceLine cannot help with queries about this tool.

4. Does the tool meet accessibility guidelines?

If you choose to use an unsupported app or tool with staff or students, it is vital that the service is accessible, and no one is excluded.

• Check that the app or tool has an accessibility statement. Consider how any accessibility issues may affect the activity.
• Collaborate with all participants to develop appropriate compromises and workarounds where accessibility is an issue. Ensure that all are included in your activity.

5. Have you understood your rights and responsibilities?

• When you add content to the site you may be expected to have clearance to use that content.
• Through using the tool you may find you have waived your “moral rights” or copyright for content you upload or create.
• Your user profile may be publicly visible. Your content may appear in search results.

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Graphic: List of supported, piloting, and unsupported key learning tools.

The following text description starts with the type of activity and for each activity lists services that can help to do that activity from UoS Supported Services to UoS Pilot Services, to Higher scoring unsupported tools and Lower scoring unsupported tools. Some services may appear under multiple activity headings.

For Video

1. UoS Supported Services
   1. Panopto
   2. Stream

1. UoS Pilot Services
   1. None
2. Higher scoring unsupported
   1. None
3. Lower scoring unsupported
   1. None

For Collaboration

1. UoS Supported Services
   1. Blackboard
   2. Teams
   3. OneNote
   4. OneDrive
2. UoS Pilot Services
   1. None
3. Higher scoring unsupported
   1. Flipgrid
   2. Miro
   3. Jamboard
   4. Padlet
4. Lower scoring unsupported
   1. Zeemaps
   2. Jitsi
   3. Gathertown
   4. Pickerwheel

For Content Curation

1. UoS Supported Services
   1. Blackboard
   2. SharePoint
   3. OneNote
   4. LinkedIn Learning
   5. OneDrive
   6. EdShare
   7. Go.soton
   8. Wordpress
2. UoS Pilot Services
   1. None
3. Higher scoring unsupported
   1. None
4. Lower scoring unsupported
   1. None

For Formative Assessment

1. UoS Supported Services
   1. Blackboard
   2. eAssignments
   3. Turnitin
   4. Forms
2. UoS Pilot Services
   1.  Notable
3. Higher scoring unsupported
   1. None
4. Lower scoring unsupported
   1. Kahoot
   2. StudyStack

For Summative Assessment

1. UoS Supported Services
   1. Blackboard
   2. eAssignments
   3. Turnitin
2. UoS Pilot Services
   1. None
3. Higher scoring unsupported
   1. None
4. Lower scoring unsupported
   1. None

For Content Creation*

1. UoS Supported Services
   1. Blackboard
   2. Microsoft Office
   3. ThingLink
2. UoS Pilot Services
   1. Explain everything
3. Higher scoring unsupported
   1. Nearpod
   2. Rewordify
   3. JPEG Rocks
4. Lower scoring unsupported
   1. Screenity
   2. Powtoon
   3. Maps in seconds

* There are some content creation tools with licences at cost such as Articulate or Course Arc. Contact ServiceLine for more information.

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Related content

eLearning Support and resources

How to download software

Staff resources