New Brightspace Tool Integration  

Instructors frequently rely on third party tools outside of Brightspace to support teaching and learning in their courses. In many cases it is possible to integrate these tools into Brightspace to give students and instructors a more seamless experience by sharing data including credentials, content links, rosters, and grades. 

When instructors need to provide more functions and/or software to enhance the classroom experience that are not provided by centrally funded and supported tools, they can request a New Brightspace Tool Integration, or a third-party integration.  

Integrations are third-party applications that undergo security review prior to purchase to identify any risks that software or service presents to Purdue before synchronizing with Purdue’s learning management system.  

Centrally Supported Tools and Third-Party Tools 

For a tool to be centrally supported, the tool must fit the needs of most, if not all, colleges and departments at Purdue. Instructors who use third party tools, integrations, will need to contact the vendor itself for support. 

Considering a New Brightspace Tool Integration 

1. Does Purdue have something already in place to meet your needs?
   • Are the functions and features of the technology truly unique and not replicated by a tool in TLT’s Instructional Technology Portfolio? 
2. Does the technology meet the compliance requirements of Purdue?
   • Does the tool meet current standards for accessibility (WCAG 2.0/2.1, a current VPAT, etc.) 
   • Does the tool have support LTI 1.3 integraton?  
3. Are the students protected?
   • Will students need to use credit card information to purchase access to the tool?  
   • Does the tool collect or keep sensitive, protected, or FERPA regulated data? 
4. How will your tool be funded?
   • TLT/Purdue are not responsible for funding.  
5. Who is the contact person associated with the vendor?
   • Gather vendor information. 
6. How will the vendor provide support for the tool?
   • Since the tool is not centrally supported, Purdue cannot assist to resolve difficulties that you may have. 
7. Will a contract need to be signed with you/your department and the vendor?
   • Understand vendor contract requirements.  
8. Have you provided enough lead time for tool integration?
   • At least 3 months or more of lead time for TLT to review the tool. 

How it Works/ Getting it Approved 

The approval process includes a review of technical compatibility, accessibility, security, and a check for financial risks to students if they must enter payment information. Instructional Learning is not responsible for the funding of the tool. If the tool is funded by an academic unit, the Procurement office should also be involved to ensure purchases are made in accordance with the University’s rules. The time to complete an integration depends on the technical complexity of the task and vendor compliance. Please allow at least 3 months or more of lead time when requesting a new integration. All integrations are subject to approval by the Purdue System Brightspace Change Management Board.