people sitting down near table with assorted laptop computers This module focuses on helping you find digital tools that fit your teaching needs.

This page gives general guidance on choosing learning tools. The rest of this module contains a list of tools available to SSU faculty as well as information on collaborative tools you can use in online or hyflex learning environments.

If you're interested in a particular digital tool or you'd like to share your experiences using a digital tool with SSU's instructional designers, please send us a note using our request form.

Choosing a Digital Tool

Digital tools can be can improve course experiences and increase student engagement, but should be chosen with care. Remember that any new tool involves at least three time-intensive aspects: your learning curve, your students' learning curve, and the time it may take to troubleshoot the tool with students as they start to use it. Before you introduce a new digital tool, ask yourself the following questions:

What is my goal in using this tool? How will it support teaching and learning? Could we achieve the same goal with a tool we already have?
Do I know how to get support if I need assistance using this tool?
Do my students know how to get support if they need assistance, and is it accessible to all students? (see the tool list on the next page)
Am I creating time in the course for students to get acclimated to the tool, and ask questions about it?

Faculty should remember that while new tools can be fun, students may already be using multiple digital tools in other courses, and should be judicious about adding more. Keep in mind that any new learning tool requires practice and acclimation, and ideally should complement online tools you are already using (like Canvas, Zoom, Outlook, etc).