[ARCHIVED] Cidi Labs Question

[meichin]

We have looked at the Cidi Labs  design tool and like what it does. Does anyone know of any other integrated tools for Canvas that provide similar features as the Cidi Labs tool?  We are required to make sure we are open to all vendors and look at all options before we purchase.  If is the only such tool - that's fine; I just have to know one way or the other.  Thanks!

[awilliams · Accepted solution]

Hey  @meichin ‌,

When we looked, we were not able to find any competitors that offered an equivalent service so we worked with Cidi Labs to create a Sole Source Justification letter. Hope this helps!

[meichin]

Thanks!  Our purchasing won't allow a sole source letter from the vendor, but at least we know if is a possibility to write one ourselves.

[joseph_allen]

Adam, have you purchased this product?  Would you be willing to do a reference call with me to talk about your experience and answer some questions?

[awilliams]

Hey  @joseph_allen ,

Yes, we are a current client and would be happy to talk to you about https://community.canvaslms.com/community/answers/partnerships/cidi-labs?sr=search&searchId=93c66694...‌. Just send me a direct message here or reply to this comment. It's helpful to use an @ mention so I get a notification. https://community.canvaslms.com/docs/DOC-1317-how-do-i-mention-people-places-content?sr=search&searc...‌

Alternatively, I'll ping  @kenneth_larsen ‌ and  @mikez ‌ who can also help you find other clients for references.

[stephanie_pope]

Hey!

We are currently looking into Elucidat. Both great options!

[meichin]

Thanks - we will look into them pronto!

[joseph_allen]

 @meichin  ,  @stephanie_pope  I am taking a look at CidiLabs and this type of functionality as well.  A couple of questions I have for all of you:

Would you roll this out to all teachers, or just have some folks build templates, and other use those?  I'm asking because while it can do a lot, it seems complicated for every teacher to have to learn and use.  

Second, do you have concerns about it plugging into Canvas through CSS, JS, and APIs, meaning something could break if Canvas changes their code?  

[meichin]

.We have thought about those questions too.  Most likely we will offer training on using the Design Tools before we roll it out to anyone. Meanwhile we will develop templates in house. There is a feature coming out soon (summer?) where you can limit features of the tool to certain audiences (roles). That would be handy to just allow the easier features for everyone, and then the more advanced ones to more advanced users. 

After talking to our Cidi labs rep and developer, we feel that the way it integrates via content blocks means that any changes made to Canvas code will be mitigated by Design Tools. So updates to the tool will be made accordingly so that it won't break our sites.  We continue to be very impressed.

[ronmarx]

Hi Mary,

We've been using Re: Cidi Labs Design Tools since last June to rapidly develop/deploy courses for our K-12 district's SMEs. Would be interested in your experience, and willing to share ours.

Ron

[meichin]

Hi  Ron - we just got the tools installed on our system this week, and we haven't yet integrated teachers since our pilot starts this summer.  We are keeping it turned on for everyone, but if things get hairy or confusing, we might go with the shortcut idea below.  Plus, by summer they should have added the feature where we can assign limited roles for use.

Love to hear your experiences.

Mary

[awilliams]

Our approach was to turn on design tools for everyone, but choose to keep the tools hidden until a keyboard shortcut is used. Yes, this is "security by obscurity" but we aren't necessarily trying to prevent people from using the tools so much as we are trying to prevent accidental or unnecessary confusion. Also, if the tools are not enabled for everyone the content in the RCE does not apply the styling, so it is not a very good WYSIWYG experience.

If folks want to secretly share the keyboard shortcut around, honestly, I'm ok with that. Sometimes the illusion of naughtiness provokes people to try something out when they otherwise wouldn't. Ultimately, we do want all faculty to have the opportunity for training and at least awareness of the tools, but that process is taking longer to work out than we wanted to wait to implement the tools for our own purposes.

[joseph_allen]

awilliams‌ thanks for the comments.  I did speak with Mike and he told me about the keyboard shortcut / hide.  I like it.  Can you please shoot me an email, or give me your and we can connect for a reference calls.  Thanks.  joseph_allen@hcpss.org - 410-313-6832.

[awilliams]

Done.

[ronmarx]

awilliams‌, Joe Allen

We had CidiLabs enable the "security by obscurity" feature of Design Tools too. I just didn't know that feature had a name! Cool.

cidi labs‌

[alicia_campos]

Hello, new in this community! 
So it has been a long while since the last post. In my institution we are looking into CIDILabs and I really like what I have seen so far. Do you know if there are competitors that equal CIDILabs Design PLUS and the MultiTool? I cannot find any. 

Many thanks! 

[meichin]

Hi Alicia! I haven't heard of any. I'll ask around!

[meichin]

So I asked our Design Tools Lead and he said he hasn't seen any, but doubts there is any competition with the track record and experience of DesignPLUS out there. It is a wonderful tool and we have been happy with it and with their support.

[TinaMSwanton]

Welcome Alicia! I have been using Canvas for 5 years now and I have not seen anything like CidiLabs Design Tools. It is absolutely amazing and saves me sooo much time!  

[baldwinsh]

Another tool similar to Cidi Labs is Soft Chalk. Soft Chalk has some neat features, but at the end of the day, I like Cidi Labs better.