At UT Arlington, decisions about instructional software—especially AI‑enabled tools—directly shape teaching, learning, and student protections. This approval process helps faculty innovate responsibly by evaluating instructional tools within clear institutional guardrails.

How this connects to CRTLE’s work

CRTLE supports faculty in making pedagogically sound choices about digital and AI‑supported tools. Questions that arise in CRTLE workshops and consultations—Can I use this tool? Is it accessible? Is student data protected?—often connect directly to this process.

CRTLE does not approve software. Instead, it helps faculty:

• Clarify the instructional purpose of a tool
• Consider equity, accessibility, and assessment implications
• Prepare materials that support a software approval request

Supporting responsible innovation

This process helps UTA balance innovation with responsibility by ensuring instructional tools meet expectations for privacy, security, and accessibility. Faculty are encouraged to see it as part of a broader ecosystem of support that includes CRTLE consultations and faculty development programming.

New Tech Assessment Process

As tech use across campus has grown, so has the need for a clearer, more consistent way to evaluate and acquire tools. To simplify the process, the Office of Information Technology is introducing a new, streamlined Tech Assessment Process.

Beginning Thursday, April 9, faculty and staff will have a single starting point for all tech approvals. This approach simplifies decision-making, reduces risk, and maintains UTA’s accessibility, security, and compliance standards.

The Process

The Tech Assessment Process begins at techassessment.uta.edu. A quick search will show you whether a software or tech is:

• Approved. Cleared for use at UTA, with next steps for acquisition.
• Unapproved. Does not meet federal, state, or UT System standards; an alternative should be selected.
• Not listed. Requires a Tech Assessment Review before it can be acquired or used.

Tech Assessment Request

Tech Assessment Requests are completed in ServiceNow. Once submitted, requests are reviewed by OIT EIR Accessibility, OIT Enterprise Architecture, and, when necessary, the Information Security Office. 

You will receive an email notification when all reviews are completed. Most assessments are completed within 30 days, though some may require additional time.

We’ve created a brief video walkthrough that demonstrates the new process.

Please note that any TAPREQ, Software Review or ISO Risk Assessment requests already submitted will continue through completion. There is no need to resubmit those requests.

Common Technology Categories

Please use the list (Common Technology Categories – Technology Assessment Process) and filter options below to search for technology solutions already approved for use at UTA. Whenever possible, use an approved technology as these solutions are known to satisfy a teaching or business need, are accessible to users, and meet security standards for data use and storage. 

Technology listed as unapproved does not meet the federal, state, or UT System standards to be used at UTA, and an alternative should be chosen. 

If you have a technology need not listed, a Technology Assessment will be required before it can be purchased or used on a UTA device or on the UTA network.   Once submitted, the information will be reviewed to ensure the technology can be properly implemented and supported, meets EIR accessibility standards, and the data used by the technology is protected and in compliance with security policies.