External Tools
Request a New External Tool for the LMS
External tools, also known as digital tools, third-party tools, paired content, and LTIs, can be requested for inclusion into the Learning Management System (LMS) to enhance the teaching and learning environment. This includes publishers of etexts and digital assignments and quizzes, collaborative annotation tools, and accessibility checkers.
When an instructor or department requests that a new external tool be evaluated for possible use and inclusion within the Learning Management System within the CSU System, input from the department chair, dean, or supervisor is required to review the request from a departmental perspective. The Departmental Review Form must be submitted as an attachment to the External Tool Request form.
Once the completed External Tool Request form is received, the tool must then go through and pass an accessibility, cybersecurity, and legal review before the tool can be approved and installed within the LMS. This entire process can take up to 6-8 weeks for each tool request. Due to the time commitment required for each tool review, the following request dates must be followed for a tool to be considered for inclusion within the LMS.
New Tool Request Deadlines
March 15 - last day to submit a request for the upcoming summer semester
April 15 - last day to submit a request for the upcoming fall semester
October 15 - last day to submit a request for the upcoming spring semester
Currently Approved External Tools at CSU Pueblo
A list of the currently approved external tools in Blackboard and their support documentation is provided below.
| Tool Name | Purpose | IT Knowledgebase Article | Vendor-provided Support |
| ALEKS | Online learning and assessment for math/chemistry/statistics. | None | ALEKS Customer Support |
| Ally from Anthology | Course content review tool for accessibility, provides alternate formats for course materials | None | Anthology Ally Help |
| Apporto | Browser-based virtual labs and desktops | Apporto Help Center | |
| Argos | Adaptive digital courses |
None
|
Argos Support |
| Cengage | Third-party publisher, etext and digital lesson provider | Cengage Resource - Technical Support for Instructors | |
| Elsevier Evolve | Third-party publisher, E-texts |
None
|
Evolve Support Center |
| Harris Learning | Digital curriculum and student progress tracking | None | Harris Learn |
| Hypothes.is | Social annotation and collaborative reading tool | None | Hypothes.is Help Center |
| Knewton | Adaptive-learning courseware integration | None | Knewton Support |
| Macmillan | Third-party publisher, etext and digital lesson provider | Integrating Macmillan Content to Blackboard Original Courses | Macmillan Support |
| McGraw Hill Connect | Third-party publisher, etext and digital lesson provider | Integrating McGraw Hill Content to Blackboard Original Courses | Connect Support Center |
| McGraw Hill SIMnet | Third-party publisher, etext and digital lesson provider | Integrating McGraw Hill Content to Blackboard Original Courses | SIMnet Support Center |
| myBusinessCourse | Business-focused learning modules and assignments | None | myBusinessCourse Contact |
| Nearpod | Interactive lessons/slides | None | Nearpod Help Center |
| Norton | Publisher digital resources and textbooks | None | WWNorton Support |
| Oxford IWS | Interactive digital textbooks, exercises | None | Oxford Help & Support |
| Pearson | Third-party publisher, etext and digital lesson provider | Integrating Pearson Content to Blackboard Original Courses | Pearson Support |
| Perusall | Social annotation & collaborative reading | None | Perusall Support |
| VitalSource | eTextbook / digital textbook platform | None | VitalSource Support |
| Wiley | Publisher courseware / eTextbooks | None | Wiley Support |
| Willolabs | Digital course materials access | None | Willolabs Support |
| Zoom | Video-conferencing tool | None | Zoom Help Center |
Request Process for a New External Tool
The following process must be followed to request that a new external tool be evaluated for inclusion within the LMS. The following processes was presented to and approved by IT Governance for the CSU System in 2025.
- Request a New External Tool for the LMS form in Freshservice is submitted: The following information or documents must be attached to the form submission for the tool review to be completed: accessibility reports (usually a VPAT Accessibility Conformance Report from the vendor), cybersecurity documentation (usually a completed HECVAT or SOC 2 certification from the vendor), and Department Review form.
- Departmental Reviews: Simultaneously, the tool is reviewed for risks to cybersecurity, accessibility, and changes within the LMS.
- External Tool Agreement and Legal Review: Once departmental reviews are completed, then the External Tool Agreement will be sent to the vendor to sign. If edits are requested, the form must then be routed to the CSU System Office of General Counsel to review, which can take 14-21 business days to complete.
- LMS Testing and Installation: Once the External Tool Agreement is signed by both parties, the LMS Admin team can install the tool in our test environment for testing, then complete the install in production if no issues are detected, and closeout the completed request.
