The LTI standard was first released in 2010 as an alternative to the Shareable Content Object Reference Model (SCORM) standard. Released in 2000, SCORM requires the tool or application to be saved in a static downloadable package (.zip file) that can’t be updated dynamically.
Learning Tools Interoperability (LTI) is a standardized framework for enabling learning platforms (tool consumers such as Blackboard) to integrate with third-party learning applications (tool providers such as CourseArc). Published by the IMS Global Learning Consortium, LTI eliminates the need for custom integration between LTI-compliant tool consumers and tool providers allowing organizations to choose from a variety of best-of-breed tools that can be deployed quickly and easily. LTI enables third-party tools to integrate seamlessly into an LMS without students even realizing that they’re interacting with another tool.
To put it in layman’s terms, think of the LTI standard as a universal charging cable that connects to any type of device: mobile phone, camera, flashlight, portable speaker, toy, etc.
CourseArc is a member of IMS Global and uses LTI to integrate our product with any LTI-compliant LMS. The benefits of using LTI are:
Content
LTI allows an LMS to integrate dynamically updating content seamlessly from another source. Look at these examples of CourseArc content embedded in three different LMS providers.
CourseArc content embedded in Canvas
CourseArc content embedded in Blackboard
CourseArc content embedded in Schoology
Grades
An LTI tool can be configured to pass grades to an LMS gradebook.
Dashboard view of student progress and performance
Grades dynamically sent to Canvas gradebook
Reporting
LTI requests can be configured to report student progress and performance.
- Current page, pages completed, and pages remaining
- Current progress (percentage of the course that has been completed)
- Current score
Student view of CourseArc embedded in an LMS
Secure Authentication/Single Sign-On (SSO)
LTI allows an LMS to authenticate instructor and student credentials securely to a third-party tool verifying that the user is valid and allowed access. SSO support eliminates the need for an instructor or student to create and maintain multiple sets of credentials.
Animation of student signing into Blackboard and seeing CourseArc content
Better Student Experience
LTI allows organizations to choose from the best tools and resources available to ensure that their students are engaged in their online learning.
Animation of interactive CourseArc content
Management of Content
LTI makes it easy to manage the development, editing, sharing, and remixing of content. Instructional designers can create content that can be shared across an organization and any content updates are automatically available in shared instances. If your institution chooses to enable Deep Linking (formerly known as Content Item Message), instructors can easily add content to their courses from the LMS.
Animation of embedding CourseArc content into the Moodle LMS using Deep Linking
Select play to learn more about LTI.
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