LTI stands for Learning Tools Interoperability and is a technology standard protocol developed by IMS Global Learning Consortium that easily powers secure single-sign-on integrations between tool providers (like TestOut's LabSim platform) and Learning Management Systems (LMS), such as Canvas, Blackboard, Brightspace, Schoology, Moodle, and others. LTI powers TestOut's LMS integrations.
LTI 1.3 greatly enhances capability over LTI 1.1, and with official support for LTI 1.1 ending June 30, 2022 CompTIA desires to move to the current LTI standard of LTI 1.3, and as of July 1, 2024, LTI 1.1 is deprecated for use with CertMaster and TestOut products in the following LMSes: Canvas, Moodle, Blackboard, and D2L Brightspace. On July 1 2025, the same will be true for the Canvas EduApp and Brightspace Plugin integrations. Other LMSes will continue to be supported, but only until we develop and QA LTI 1.3 solutions for those LMSes. At least 3 months notice will be given when this is the case.
Q&A
Q: Will LTI 1.1 continue to function after the deprecation dates?
A: Classes that already have clicked into the integration before July 1 will be permitted to run their course, but any new classes clicked into afterward will hit an error asking them to upgrade. In platforms where CompTIA does not offer a 1.3 solution, LTI 1.1 will continue to function.
Q: How do I get started with LTI 1.3 with Advantage?
A: Please visit our walkthrough on the transition, and follow the steps accordingly.
Q: Will I need to run grade sync with LTI 1.3 with Advantage?
A: With LTI 1.3 with Advantage grade sync occurs automatically. As an instructor, you will not need to manually run a grade sync.
Q: Which LMS platforms are using LTI 1.3 with Advantage?
A: Canvas, Moodle, Blackboard, D2L Brightspace, and Schoology. We intend to add support for others over time.
Q: What if I am running an LMS other than Canvas, Blackboard, Brightspace, Moodle, or Schoology?
A: If your LMS is compliant with LTI 1.3 with Advantage, we will make note of this for future development efforts, though at this point we can only provide LTI 1.3 with Advantage support on the above LMS platforms.
Q: What improvements come with LTI 1.3 with Advantage?
A: LTI 1.3 Advantage uses the 1EdTech Security Framework, making it much more secure than 1.1. LTI 1.3 Advantage boasts easier installation, greater ease of assignments (a whole course can be created in about an hour), and automatic score return.
Q: Can I use LTI 1.1 and LTI 1.3 with Advantage at the same time?
A: LTI 1.1 and LTI 1.3 with Advantage can be installed and function within a given LMS at the same time, but please read the next question:
Q: Can LTI 1.1 and 1.3 assignment links be in the same LMS course?
A: No. Using both 1.1 and 1.3 links in the same LMS course very often causes problems with progress tracking, grade syncing, and proper user-class assignment. If you are going to be using LTI 1.1 and 1.3 concurrently, please start your 1.3 experience fresh with a new course.
Q: What about my current LTI 1.1 courses? Is there an impact on them? What happens to my classes built using LTI 1.1?
A: 1.1 courses that are already running will continue to function; however, as of July 1, 2024, new courses in the listed LMSes will not be permitted to create a corresponding course in CertMaster, and will throw an error.
Q: Should I be concerned about any security changes with LTI 1.3 with Advantage?
A: CIOs and platform providers have security-related concerns about sensitive and personally identifiable information (PII) being passed between platforms and tools. Older security frameworks like LTI 1.1 have demonstrated vulnerabilities.
LTI 1.3 and LTI Advantage are the first IMS standards to leverage the IMS Security Framework model. IMS Security Framework adopts the industry-standard protocol IETF OAuth 2.0 for authentication services along with JSON Web Tokens (JWT) for secure message signing and adopts the Open ID Connect workflow paradigm.
Q: What is most exciting about running an LTI 1.3 Advantage integration?
Creating Assignments
The process for creating assignment links is done via a GUI. It's a point and click experience and is far superior to the manually driven URL Web Links with our LTI 1.1 approach.
Score Return
Score return is also better. The student is not required to click each assignment link for the score to return for that assignment. Rather, so long as an assignment link exists within the course, the student can follow an initial assignment link, complete and score that assignment, then stay in the TestOut course and complete other assignments and have all scores automatically synced back to Blackboard.
Time Saver
The feedback we've received conveys that this approach is a great step forward and a great timesaver. ...that the approach just gets easier and faster going forward. Generally speaking, a course can be created in about an hour or a little longer. Not nearly as long as with LTI 1.1.