Overview
This guide explains how instructors use LMS courses that utilize CertMaster's LTI 1.3 integration, including instructions to send students. This assumes you already have a course built using the articles found in your LMS's section of our LMS Integration Documentation.
If you don't yet have an integration set up and would like to learn what integration entails and how to request one, please visit our article: Is LMS Integration right for my organization?
Instructor "First Click"
Each time you gain access to an integrated LMS course you are to teach, the very first thing you should do is click an LTI 1.3 link that points to CertMaster content. This single action automatically sets up almost everything you need in CertMaster for the integration, including the following:
- Creates an instructor account in CertMaster that's associated to your institution.
- If you already have a CertMaster account through your institution, it will log you into it.
- Creates an integrated Class in CertMaster tied to your LMS course with start and end dates that match those set in your LMS.
- Assigns you as an Instructor to that Class, granting you reporting access
- Grants your account an instructor license to the CertMaster product you clicked into if you don't have one
Important:
- Complete this step for each LMS course you teach.
Do not manually create your course in CertMaster.
Avoid renaming, duplicating, or archiving the class until after the semester ends.
Notes:
If your LMS course doesn't have start/end dates set, your CertMaster Class will have a start date of the first time someone clicked into it through the integration, and an end date one year later. This can be adjusted after the fact in CertMaster by finding your class, clicking the three-dot menu, and selecting 'Edit Class'.
Please note that CompTIA releases new versions of our products every three years, and the previous version retires six months after a new one is released. When a new product is released, your course will need to be rebuilt to use links that point to the new product.
Automatic Class Creation and User Enrollment
- Students are automatically enrolled in the CertMaster Class the first time they click a CertMaster link.
If your students are to use Access Keys to gain access to the product, they'll be prompted for one the first time they click into a given product from the LMS course. They should not redeem their key anywhere except for this prompt.
If your institution uses Usage-based Billing (UBB) or limited Licenses, students are granted a license automatically.
Confirm Course Creation and Enrollment
Once your LMS course has begun, click a CertMaster link, then navigate to Home > My Campus/School/Institution tab. Confirm that:
Your class's name matches the LMS course name.
The correct CertMaster product is listed as associated to it.
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If you click the Class's name, students who have clicked at least one link will appear in the student list.
If they are listed as not having access to the product, this means that they clicked a CertMaster link, but didn't enter their Access Key yet. They will continue to receive a prompt each time they click in until they enter it.
Grade Syncing and Reporting
Students’ scores automatically sync to the LMS course gradebook within 20 seconds of completion.
The Highest grade achieved is sent
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In order for grades to sync:
Learners need a stable internet connection
Learners need to have started their CertMaster session by clicking a content link in the LMS course that the grades are to return to. Logging in manually, or entering through a link in a different integrated course will cause grade sync to fail.
Only scores earned after the LMS course’s start date sync back.
You can confirm a student's work by looking in the Class Reports:
For more information on Grade Sync, see LMS Integration: Grade Sync FAQ
For troubleshooting, see LMS Integration: Grade Sync Troubleshooting
Student Instructions
To create your account and access CertMaster content:
Simply click on any CertMaster content link inside the LMS course. In the background, this will automatically:
- Create your user account in CertMaster and tie it to your institution
- If you've already clicked into CertMaster from this Learning Management System (LMS) before, it will log you into your existing account.
- Enroll you in the CertMaster Class that's tied to your LMS course
- Grant you product access:
- If your school expects you to use an Access Key for the product, you will be asked for it the first time you click a link pointing to that product.
- If your school uses pre-purchased license pools or Usage-based Billing, access will be granted automatically.
PLEASE DO NOT EVER:
Manually create a user account with CompTIA
Complete work for this course on a personal account you have with CompTIA, or grades will not sync.
Redeem your access key anywhere except at the prompt that you are given when you first click a link.