External Tools
In principle, when using online tools, if these tools are not part of the university's IT infrastructure, they must either be completely anonymous for students (no personal data transmitted and the transmitted data cannot be directly attributed to a person by the platform provider) or you need your students' voluntary consent for use after informing them about the tool and its "risks" (e.g., setting specific cookies, Facebook plugins on the respective page, or other data-collecting elements).
On this page, we present external tools that you as instructors can use in your teaching in addition to our university's own tools. The tools listed here have been reviewed by the university's data protection officer, assessed as GDPR-compliant, and approved for use in the teaching context in closed groups.
Please do not use your university email address together with your (university) password for registration with external tools!
DFNTerminplaner
Features
The DFNTerminplaner is a publicly accessible platform that enables participants to conduct polls, such as for scheduling appointments or options, easily and quickly. Various options are available, such as creating anonymous polls, limiting the number of responses, password protection, or email polling. Data privacy and data minimization are of high importance to the DFNTerminplaner, so for example, an expiration date must always be set, after which all data will be deleted.
Link to Application
University License
Yes
Instructions
Mentimeter
Features
Mentimeter offers various features to interactively engage participants in a lecture. These can include polls that students answer or word collections presented as word clouds. Students can participate via smartphone or PC using a QR code. The questions and poll results can be displayed in the presentation.
Link to Application
University License
No
Instructions
Important: Please ask your participants not to enter any data that could identify them personally. Please inform them before starting the use that the tool sends behavioral data (e.g., mouse movements) to Google as part of the reCAPTCHA process.
PleaseFeedback.de
Features
PleaseFeedback.de allows for the simple and hassle-free creation of online feedback forms. The questionnaires are available for 14 days and are then automatically deleted. Star ratings and free text fields are available. Neither instructors nor students need to register. Students receive a link or code that they can access and use via any browser. The creators can access the results via a link, which also expires after 14 days.
Link to Application
University License
No, it is freely available
Instructions
https://ebildungslabor.de/werkzeug/bittefeedback/
Important: Please inform your students that this page embeds Google Webfonts. If you do not block them, data will be transmitted to Google.
Yopad
Features
Yopad is an example of various Etherpad variants that allow real-time collaboration on texts, tables, etc. Instructors can create pads without registration, and students can also work on them without registration, for example, to collaboratively create a text or a collection of questions. Etherpads
Link to Application
University License
No, it is freely available
Instructions
Important: See the explanation regarding publicly accessible websites.
Learning Snacks
Features
Learning Snacks enables the simple creation of dialog-based learning units in the style of a WhatsApp conversation, into which knowledge questions, feedback, videos, images, and short texts can be inserted. The use is free of charge, and the created content can be shared with students via QR codes or links. It is also possible to bundle multiple learning contents into a "classroom" or individual channel. Created content can be shared with others via "Settings," licenses can be adjusted, etc.
Link to Application
https://www.learningsnacks.de/#/welcome
University License
No, freely available
Instructions
Important: Please ask your participants not to sign in with Google or Facebook, but to create a separate account if necessary.
eduVote
Features
eduVote is a web-based audience response system that enables conducting polls and voting in courses. The results of the polls/votes are automatically evaluated and can then be displayed in diagram form, etc. eduVote is an online service that requires only internet-capable devices (such as smartphones, tablets, or laptops) for successful participation.
Link to Application
University License
Yes
Instructions
Quick Guide
Didactic Introduction German
Didactic Introduction German (ink-saving)
Didactic Introduction English
Didactic Introduction English (ink-saving)
Canva
Features
Canva is a design tool. Instructors can create and export graphics, videos, presentations, worksheets, infographics, and seminar plans. They have access to licensed content for designing their materials. The software enables collaborative team work on graphic designs and sharing designs and templates via link, download in various file formats, or on social networks.
Wooclap
Features
Wooclap is an audience response tool with an extended selection of question types to interact with students in a course and assess knowledge. Brainstorming, whiteboard, and script concordance tests enable innovative use of this survey software.
Link to Application
University License
No
Instructions
Getting Started
Didactic Introduction German
Didactic Introduction German (ink-saving)
Didactic Introduction English
Didactic Introduction English (ink-saving)
Important: When signing up for a Pro subscription, the AI feature should be disabled from a data protection perspective.
Infinity Maps
Features
Infinity Maps is a mind mapping tool that represents ideas and thoughts through hierarchies and branches in a map. It serves to visualize complex information and thus creates new ways to process teaching content digitally and intuitively.
The tool can be used for collaborative group work. But it can also be used individually to connect complex learning content and present them clearly.
Link to Application
University License
No, free usage with registration possible
Instructions
Video tutorials
Didactic Introduction German
Didactic Introduction German (ink-saving)
Didactic Introduction English
Didactic Introduction English (ink-saving)
Important: You can register here for free and use Infinity Maps with reduced functionality (up to three maps with 300 cards each). Students can work in shared maps without registration. However, usage should still be voluntary.
Kialo Edu
Features
Kialo Edu is a tool for visualizing arguments and discussions with the goal of teaching and promoting critical thinking. Participants can engage in constructive discussions, collect arguments, and weigh them against each other.
It can be used to conduct online discussions together and visualize the argumentation process. But it can also be used for the structural preparation of a written paper.
Link to Application
University License
No, free usage with or without registration possible
Instructions
Information Package: The Digital Debate
Discussion Templates
Didactic Introduction German
Didactic Introduction German (ink-saving)
Didactic Introduction English
Didactic Introduction English (ink-saving)
Important: Students can participate in a discussion without registration if you share it with activated instant access. They can also register without an email address. We recommend allowing students to use a name that does not fully disclose personal data but still allows you to identify them if needed.
FLINGA
Features
Flinga is a web-based whiteboard tool used for simple collaborative collection of ideas and thoughts in the form of board images. Complex information can be presented clearly in this way. The boards can be shared so that students can participate without their own registration. With the whiteboard and the wall, Flinga offers two ways to collaboratively collect and present ideas.
In the Flinga Whiteboard, elements can be moved freely and connected with lines. The Flinga Wall arranges student cards linearly. The cards can be voted on and sorted by various criteria.
Link to Application
University License
No
Instructions
Quick Guide
Didactic Introduction German
Didactic Introduction German (ink-saving)
Didactic Introduction English
Didactic Introduction English (ink-saving)
Explanation of Publicly Accessible Websites
For websites such as yopad or other publicly accessible tools (without registration, etc.), please note the following:
- Please do not enter personal data (this includes both data about individuals and the attribution of contributions to individuals).
- Do not enter sensitive information (do not use for business purposes!).
- If the tool is used as a publicly accessible platform (like a website), the service must have an imprint.
- The creator of the pad/offering is responsible for the content.
- Please use "non-descriptive" URLs for pads, for example, randomly chosen URLs from the system and nothing like "feedback.yopad.de" or similar.
- Please explicitly inform your students if they need to adjust their cookie settings.
In general, all tools can only be used based on a data processing agreement (DPA) with the provider when personal data is to be entered/collected.
We continuously expand this list. If you would like us to review tools for use with students, please contact us: elearning@uni-goettingen.de