There are a number of programs or platforms that can be integrated within ICON courses. These integrations, also called Canvas Apps, or Learning Tool Integrations (LTIs), allow users to access an external application inside of ICON. Since these integrations with ICON can send data such as student-identifying information and student grade data to third-party or vendor systems, it is critical to ensure this is done securely and in accordance with University policies to preserve ownership of the data, safeguard confidentiality and integrity, and protect students’ rights. If you are interested in integrating a new application, it must undergo a security and accessibility compliance review.
Step 1: Identification
A requestor identifies an external tool to integrate into ICON. Completes a request for an application integration for ICON at the ITS Help Desk. Includes information about the tool: where more can be learned, and if this is for one class or many that may be using this tool.
Step 2: Exploration
ITS-IS-EIT will install the tool into the test ICON environment, to ensure it functions as expected.
Step 3: Evaluation
The requestor’s IT director completes the Security Review Form.
Step 4: Deployment
Instructional Services may install the tool in a single course site while waiting for completion of security review. They can move the tool more broadly into ICON, after the integration has passed the security review.
Step 5: Review
The tool is monitored for use and viability. If the tool is no longer needed or used, it may be removed from the system.
Integrations are connections created between systems and applications that work together to share information and data. This can expand the capabilities of ICON, to include functions or programs not built in originally to ICON. Depending on the integration, the connection may verify login credentials, assign permissions based on course role, or even send grades into the ICON Gradebook.
View a list of ICON integrations that are fully supported by the ITS Help Desk and ICON Team and those that are supported by campus partners or other vendors.
There are many different costs of integrations. Some are centrally funded, some are available on a student-pay model. If the requested platform/tool has an associated cost, funding source(s) must be identified upfront by the requestor. Some platforms/tools may allow individual courses, departments, or colleges to license the platform/tool for their specific students and faculty, while others may require a license for the entire university to use the platform/tool even in just one course.
Programs may often describe their integrations as LTI, or mention connecting to an LMS. You may also notice the Canvas logo on program documentation. These are all clues that an integration to ICON may be possible. You can also find integrations in the IMS Global TrustEd Apps Directory and the Instructure EduAppCenter.
Start by submitting a help ticket to the ITS Help Desk. Include information about the program you want to integrate, where more can be learned about the program, and if this is for one class or many that may be using this program.
Also, have your IT director fill out a Security Review Form for the integration.