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. 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 on July 1, 2024?
A: Only for platforms where CompTIA does not offer a 1.3 solution. Canvas EduApp and Brightspace Plugin will also continue to work, though we are planning on deprecating these as well in 2025 -- please transition as soon as possible.
Q: How do I get started with LTI 1.3 with Advantage?
A: Please reach out to our Implementation Team via our request form, and list "1.1 to 1.3 transition" in the Goals for new adoption or integration training field. Additionally, please go over our article that covers the transition process at this link.
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, and D2L Brightspace. We intend to add support for others over time.
Q: What if I am running an LMS other than Canvas, Blackboard, Brightspace, and Moodle?
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 noted LMS platforms.
Q: What improvements come with LTI 1.3 with Advantage?
A: LTI 1.3 with Advantage boasts easy installation, greater ease of assignments (a whole course can be created in about an hour), and automatic score return (automatic grade sync). LTI 1.3 with Advantage is more secure.
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.