Canvas: Teaching with External Tool Integrations

Summary

This article provides an overview of external tools available in Canvas. These integrations commonly referred to as Learning Tools Interoperability or LTI are a series of applications that can be accessed from within Canvas to extend the built-in features of the learning management system.

Body

This article provides an overview of external tools and their availability in Canvas. Tool integrations are usually offered by third party vendors through what's called LTI (Learning Tools Interoperability). LTI is a secure standard for third party learning applications to extend extend the built-in features of the Canvas learning management system. These tools can be installed in Canvas for all courses (enterprise-level) or for individual courses (course-level) to be used in course modules or to create custom activities and assessment patterns.

Below, find information about accessing available external tools and making a request for the review of new integrations.

Get Started

External tools that have been reviewed for use by instructors at the course level may be visible in the Canvas App Center. To install, configure or enable an approved external app in your course review the following Canvas guide:

What is the difference between enterprise and course-level installation?

LTIs are installed and configured at two levels in Canvas:

  • Enterprise-level: external tools are reviewed and installed by Canvas Admins and integrated into all Canvas courses for everyone to use
  • Course-level: tools are available to be installed by an instructor within a course using the Canvas App Center.

As an instructor, how do I request an external tool with an LTI for use in my course?

Requests should be submitted at least 4 weeks prior to the start date of a course to allow time for Infosec review and testing. LTI providers suggest not adding tools once students begin accessing the course content.

What criteria are considered when reviewing an LTI?

Once an LTI is requested, the vendor will be contacted by the Office of Digital Learning & Inquiry. Vendors will be required to complete the LTI Security Questionnaire and provide links to the following documents for whitelisting or course-level approval:

  • FERPA Statement (required)
  • Terms of Service (required)
  • Terms of Use (required)
  • Privacy Statements (required)
  • Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT) (optional)

The Office of Digital Learning & Inquiry will review responses and policies submitted to the security questionnaire and use the following questions to inform a recommendation on approval status:

  • Did the vendor complete the SaaS questionnaire? (required)
  • Does the LTI function correctly in the Canvas testing environment? (required)
  • Is the LTI installable: (required) via the EduApps Center? or directly into a course site? or at the root account level via an enterprise contract with Middlebury?
  • After testing, does the LTI support its intended instructional purpose?
  • Does the LTI share data? What data? (required)
  • Does the LTI share data securely? (required)
  • Does the LTI require a budget? (required)
  • Does the LTI comply with Middlebury IP policies? (required) E.g.: Use of the LTI must not transfer any faculty or student intellectual property to the vendor. Reference: Middlebury IP Policy
  • Does the LTI provide a single Terms of Use (ToU) that includes the service and the LTI integration? (required)

What external tools are currently available in Canvas?

See the following for references to available tools:

Teaching with External Tools in Canvas

How can I get additional help?

For pedagogical support or questions about external tool availability in Canvas contact the Office of Digital Learning & Inquiry by e-mail dlinq at middlebury dot edu or schedule a consultation with a DLINQ team member.

Details

Details

Article ID: 783
Created
Wed 12/11/24 9:03 PM
Modified
Thu 12/12/24 2:15 PM

Related Services / Offerings

Related Services / Offerings (7)

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