Use of Alternative Online Tools in Instruction Stockton University, through the offices of Information Technology Services and E‐Learning, acquires, maintains, and administers the Blackboard learning management system (LMS) and other instructional tools to support teaching and learning. These tools represent but a fraction of an instructional technology market that grows daily. Given this array of choices, the University recognizes that faculty members may wish to explore new methods of teaching through using instructional tools or publisher‐provided online content not supported by the Information Technology Services and/or the Office of E‐Learning. When doing so, it is strongly recommended that a faculty member consult with the Director of E‐Learning to discuss the level of technical support required from the Office of E‐Learning and Information Technology Services to determine if the proposed tool should be used. The performance of alternative tools may be unpredictable. If a faculty member is considering an alternative instructional tool, the following factors must be reviewed: PEDAGOGICAL FACTORS COLLABORATION: The technology supports interactive learning by providing modes through which a student may collaborate with other students and with his/her instructor. The technology also should allow for student‐to‐content interaction. FEEDBACK: The tool allows the faculty to offer students timely and personalized feedback. TRAINING: The faculty member provides training on the tool and/or access to documentation and training materials. TROUBLESHOOTING: The faculty member responds to any problems of student access or use. SECURITY FACTORS AUTHENTICATION: If the tool maintains personally identifiable information, user information must be protected by authenticating each user through using a unique and confidential username and password. IDENTITY PROTECTION: If the tool permits public viewing of student‐generated content (e.g., blogs, wikis, etc.), the faculty member should advise students to post messages using a nickname or alias known only to participants of the course. PERFORMANCE FACTORS CONTENT PROTECTION: The tool should have a means for the backup and recovery of course materials and data to prevent permanent loss of content. The faculty member creates local backups of critical course files and advises students to keep local backups of their course submissions. RELIABILITY: The faculty reviews the terms of use to determine the reliability and responsiveness of the tool provider. The faculty member prepares a contingency plan to continue instruction in the event that the tool becomes unavailable. COMPLIANCE FACTORS ACCEPTABLE USE: The faculty member advises students that the Stockton University Acceptable Use Policy and the Stockton University Code of Conduct extend to the use of alternative tools. DISABILITIES: If the tool is not clearly identified as compliant with Section 504 of the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, reasonable accommodations must be provided. FERPA: The grading of student course work must be maintained and communicated in a confidential manner. LEGAL SAFEGUARD: The faculty member with the help of the vendor establishes a method of requesting and receiving student activity logs should a situation arise requiring the involvement of the campus judicial system or a grade challenge. February 2016