Blackboard Integration Request Guidelines

These guidelines were developed in an effort to provide consistent and timely responses for incoming integration requests. The vetting process for new integrations will ensure that third-party add-ons meet security standards for protecting student information in accordance with FERPA.

Make a Blackboard Integration request

Visit the CIT Support portal to request a Blackboard Integration.

Integration Requirements

• Integrations must have be initiated by UA faculty/staff and have a UA campus contact.

• Integrations must have at least 5 users for consideration.

• All new integrations must be LTI 1.3 or API.

• A VPAT and HECVAT/HECVAT Lite are required for each integration.

Timeline for Integration Requests

Integration requests pass through several stages prior to being made available to UA faculty and students:

• Functional review: Evaluates added functionality and compatibility between the add-on tool and UA’s Learning Management System (LMS).

• Security & Accessibility review: Examines the process by which student information passes to the third-party tool, vendor privacy documentation, and FERPA compliance. Additionally, evaluates the product’s compliance status with regard to WCAG 2.0 AA.

• Support planning: Develops a support plan based on campus and vendor support channels

• Testing: New tool is added to our testing systems for LMS system administration and end-user functionality tests.

• Installation: New tool is added to our Production system between academic terms.

Following the LMS Functional review, the UA faculty requesting the new tool will need to seek approval from UA Legal and the UA Registrar for the new tool to access FERPA-protected student data. The Center for Instructional Technology can help facilitate this approval process.

Upon approval for installation on our Production system, CIT will schedule the new integration during the next system update window. These update windows occur between academic semesters while classes are not in session.