Software / Sites

Support For Approved Sites and Software

Some of the Austin ISD Technology approved classroom software is supported by the Technology Design Team. The Software / Sites menu at the top will jump you to those supports. Other software or sites listed below are licensed by Austin ISD, but supported by other teams. Contact or support connections will be made for those titles.

The Austin ISD Office of Technology Compliance is tasked with the duties of software approval. Approval is contingent upon then end user's role or age, how the software deals with protected student information, if there is already approved software that does the same thing, if the software is harmful to technology or data systems, and more.

Staff can seek out the list of approved software using ServiceNow as well as request the approval of desired software.

How Are Students Using Licensed Software?

Students can use Screencastify to capture their thinking about a lesson concept.

The student voice is elevated through the creativity using Adobe Spark

Helen Wilson (PreAP Chemistry and Scientific Research & Design at LASA) uses Google Jamboard to collect classroom group feedback. Read her blog post about how she used this with her high school students.

The New Software Request Process (Fall 2021)

The Austin ISD Technology Security Office has published new procedures for buying or installing software for district devices.

Buy software:

  • Check if it’s not on the list of disapproved software on ServiceNow. Navigate there via the Portal > ServiceNow >Knowledge Base > Digital Resources > Disapproved Software List

  • Use a purchase order. P-card purchases are not allowed for software.

  • That’s it! You’re good to go.

Install Google Docs/Sheets/Slides Add-ons, Chrome Extensions or Google Play apps:

  • Check the list of approved/disapproved software at bit.ly/aisdaddons .

  • Request approval for new Google Add-ons by creating a ServiceNow ticket asking for Google Add-on approval.

  • Request new, free Chrome extension for students using a ServiceNow ticket asking for approval for students.

  • Staff do not need to request Chrome extensions for staff use.

Install free software for a Macbook or iPads:

  • Access is managed via Jamf or Self Service. Use your user permissions or contact your local JAMF administrator.

Install free software for Windows devices:

  • Non-instructional, reputable software is acceptable on Windows devices and can be self-installed using Instant Admin.

Install software that would require rostering, server support, etc.:

  • Create a ServiceNow ticket asking for consultation regarding whether this is feasible and sustainable.

Keep an eye out for future notifications! Thank you for treating student information carefully and responsibly!