Canvas External Tools

There are a number of Canvas External Tools (also known as Canvas applications/apps or LTIs- Learning Tools Interoperability) that are available for instructors at U-M. Canvas external tools extend and enhance the functionality of Canvas courses. Check out the new Canvas External Tools Site for on-demand training!

What are Canvas External Tools?

Canvas External Tools are third-party tools that are easily integrated and used within Canvas. Such tools add functionality and enhance the course experience for students and instructors. A few well-known examples include Zoom in Canvas, Perusall, and Piazza.

Find and Add Canvas External Tools for your Course

Review this knowledge base article for directions on how to add a Canvas external tool to your course.

To view recordings and slides of external tools trainings, visit this channel.

Note: Some Canvas external tools may require licenses and/or have an associated fee; please contact the tool provider for additional details. All tools/applications on this list are either covered under the university’s data privacy agreement, unless otherwise stated. Sometimes units offer unit-specific Canvas apps, please check in with your unit.

Training for Canvas External Tools

On-demand training for Canvas External Tools

Live training opportunities Canvas External Tools
Live training is offered before fall/winter terms. For a schedule, visit the ITS Teaching & Learning Instructional Support Training Site.

Feedback for Canvas External Tools
Please complete this form if you have feedback on a specific Canvas external tool.

Spotlight of Commonly Used Canvas External Tools

Below is a spotlight list of popular U-M Canvas external Tools. For a full list of Canvas external tools available at U-M visit the Canvas External Tools page.

  • My Learning Analytics (MyLA)
    My Learning Analytics is a dashboard that provides students with information about their engagement with course materials and resources, assignments, and grades in a Canvas course.
  • LinkedIn Learning
    LinkedIn Learning (formerly Lynda.com) is a leading online-learning platform that helps anyone learn business, software, technology, and creative skills to achieve personal and professional goals.
  • MiVideo
    MiVideo is a cloud-based media streaming service that helps to organize, catalog, share, search, and publish multimedia content.
  • Annoto
    Annoto is an add-on to MiVideo in Canvas that allows students to collaborate within the video or audio player.
  • Universal Design Online Content Inspection Tool (UDOIT)
    The Universal Design Online Content Inspection Tool, or UDOIT (pronounced, “You Do It”) enables faculty/instructors to identify accessibility issues in their Canvas course content. It will scan a course, generate a report, and provide resources on how to address common accessibility issues.
  • Perusall
    With Perusall, an online social annotation platform, you can increase student engagement, collaboration, and community within your course. Perusall works with your favorite course content including books, articles, web pages, videos, podcasts, and images.
  • Remote Office Hours Queue
    The Remote Office Hours Queue is a virtual queueing tool that allows meeting hosts to manage attendees waiting to meet with them for private one-on-one meetings in person or over Zoom videoconferencing.
  • NameCoach
    NameCoach is a web-based tool that allows users to record, listen to, and learn names. It promotes the university’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion initiative, and fosters a more inclusive learning environment.
  • Piazza
    Piazza is a new style of discussion/Q&A site with a focus on educational institutions. This integration adds a link to the course navigation for Piazza discussions, and auto-logs the user into the course discussions area.
  • Lecture Capture
    CAEN’s Lecture Recording Service allows you to access recordings of your course lectures online. Lecture Capture is used by several colleges and units (not just limited to CAEN).
  • Library Tools
    Library Tools provides a platform for instructors to assemble a customized one-stop destination for students to access a variety of library resources and services.
  • GradeCraft
    GradeCraft is a learning management system that supports gameful instruction, a pedagogical approach inspired by techniques and methods found in well-designed games.
  • Gamut
    Gamut is a suite of LTI native tools that extend learning platforms to support richer pedagogy and instructional design. Some examples include a gallery tool and writing revision tool.
  • Lettersmith
    Lettersmith is a writing support tool that provides structured guidance and encourages metacognition.
  • Tandem
    Tandem helps instructors and teams manage teamwork by creating a place to get feedback and engage with tailored lessons.
  • Problem Roulette
    Problem Roulette helps students study by providing practice questions from previous exams in a points-free zone.