For Institutions Without an LMS

Why Process Feedback

Process Feedback is a pedagogical alternative to plagiarism or AI-detection tools. It offers a constructive way to promote academic integrity — and it does not depend on any learning management system.

A student raising their hand next to it is text: increases student engagement. Second is a student with a light bulb in hand with text: pushes students to communicate and think critically.

Instead of flagging content after submission:

It helps teachers and students reflect on the writing process itself.
It supports learning, transparency, and instructional dialogue rather than enforcement.
It is student-centered since students are in control of their own data.

Nothing to procure, install, or integrate

Because Process Feedback does not require an LMS, there is no plugin to install, no LTI configuration to manage, and no new infrastructure to stand up. Teachers can pilot the tools on their own, and institutions can scale up whenever they are ready.

Key design considerations include:

VPAT documentation available upon request
HECVAT security review support available upon request
Support for Data Processing Agreements (DPAs) and Data Sharing Agreements (DSAs)
No student accounts required by default
No LMS, plugin, or LTI setup required to get started
Deployment options for individual teachers, courses, or institution-wide use

Icon of institution with checklist report next to it and text below stating institutional requirement.

How Process Feedback differs from detection-based tools

Many academic integrity tools focus on detecting or flagging content after submission, often relying on continuous data collection or automated scoring.

Man pointing at a green ball in pile of grey balls.

Process Feedback differs in that it is:

Designed for instructional transparency rather than post-hoc enforcement
Focused on reflection on the writing process itself
Free from automated judgments about authorship or intent

Three ways to use Process Feedback without an LMS

Process Feedback provides lightweight tools that work on their own, with no learning management system in the middle. Teachers can pilot any of these today, and institutions can adopt them at whatever scale they need.

Available options without an LMS include:

Option 1. Students use the Process Feedback editor
Option 2. Students use Google Docs
Option 3. Students install the browser extension

Multiple wire nodes showing three different options that work without an LMS.

Option 1. Students use the Process Feedback editor

The Process Feedback online editor is a self-contained online writing space for assignments where the writing process matters. It needs no LMS and no accounts — a teacher creates an editor in about two minutes and shares a link. As students write, the editor can generate a "writing process report" they can review or share for reflection, feedback, or discussion.

Key feature:	Fully self-contained writing space; optional real-time rubric-based AI feedback while students work
LMS required:	No
Data collection:	Yes, but not automatic
Who sets it up:	Teacher creates an editor and shares a link
Accounts required:	No
Mobile devices:	Yes
Students submit:	Automatic submission, process data ZIP, writing report link, or report PDF
Teacher dashboard:	Yes

Process Feedback Editor

Option 2. Students use Google Docs

Since Google automatically collects writing process data, students can continue to use Google Docs as usual, without installing anything extra or needing an LMS. Anytime after a writing project, students or teachers can use the Process Feedback for Google Docs extension to explore the writing process.

Key feature:	Supports multi-author student projects and shows author collaborations
LMS required:	No
Data collection:	No, not by default
Who installs:	Students and/or teachers
Accounts required:	No
Mobile devices:	Yes, supported by Google Docs
Students submit:	Google Docs edit link, process data ZIP, writing report link, or report PDF
Teacher dashboard:	Yes

Google Docs Extension

Option 3. Students install the browser extension

Our Process Feedback extension from the Chrome Web Store works on top of many online editors and discussion boards — no LMS and no accounts required. It is a good fit when students write directly in a web-based editor rather than in Google Docs or our editor.

Key feature:	Works directly in many web-based editors and discussion boards
LMS required:	No
Data collection:	No, students can choose
Who installs:	Students
Accounts required:	No
Mobile devices:	Not supported
Students submit:	Process data ZIP, writing report link, or report PDF
Teacher dashboard:	Yes, runs locally in the browser

Read About Extension

Options for institutions without an LMS