Blackboard 9.1SP4 (and later) and Basic LTI Support

One of the new features/enhancements in Bb 9.1 SP4 was the support for Basic Learning Tools Interoperability (LTI).

From the Release Notes:


The Basic Learning Tools Interoperability (LTI) is an IMS derivative of the full Learning Tools Interoperability specification that provides a simple integration for instructors to install external learning tools and applications anywhere within their courses. Users do not have to sign in to multiple tools. External content and tools are added to a course the same way a URL is added. The tool or content is launched by clicking the link.

Developers can add Basic Learning Tools Interoperability extensions to their Building Blocks, increasing their market value.



Experimenting with Basic LTI

Step 1. In order to experiment with Basic LTI, I needed to find a Basic LTI Consumer. I found one on the IMS Global site.

URL: http://www.imsglobal.org/developers/BLTI/lms.php

Step 2. As System Administrator, configure Blackboard's Basic LTI Tools Providers

Reference: http://library.blackboard.com/ref/df5b20ed-ce8d-4428-a595-a0091b23dda3/Content/_admin_app_system/admin_app_basic_lti_tool_providers.htm

Go to System Admin > Building Blocks > Basic LTI Tools Providers > Register Provider Domain

1. Provider Domain Status

Set the status of the provider domain. You can also provide a list of additional hostnames to share this configuration if needed.

Provider Domain: www.imsglobal.org

Provider Domain Status: [x] Approved

2. Default Configuration

Basic LTI Tool Providers can request configuration per link, or can provide key and shared secret information for site-wide configuration.

Default Configuration: [x] Set separately for each link

3. Institutional Policies

Choose whether you want to override the institution policies for this specific tool provider domain.

Send User Data: [x] Send user data over any connection (though you may want "Send user data only over SSL" instead)

User Fields to Send: I chose all three
[x] Role in course
[x] Name
[x] Email Address

Show User Acknowledgment Message: [x] Yes
Message Text: "You are about to let us send your Role in Course, Name and Email Address to imsglobal.org."

and Submit

Also, if you just upgraded from 9.1SP3 (or earlier), then you should make sure the Basic LTI tool is enabled as a Course Tool.

System Admin > Course Settings > Course Tools

Basic LTI: [x] On

Step 3. As Instructor, set up the link in a course

Go to a Content Area > Build Content > URL

1. URL Information

Name: http://www.imsglobal.org/developers/BLTI/lms.php
URL: http://www.imsglobal.org/developers/BLTI/lms.php

[x] This link is to a Tool Provider

selecting this pops up two more fields for the Key and Secret provided by the Basic LTI Consumer.

Key: 12345
Secret: secret

and submit.

Step 4. Launch the link

Try the link as a student.

Note that you get the Confirmation (every time):

and when you click on the Launch button, you should be taken to the Basic LTI Consumer URL

Q. Where's the Blackboard username?

A. Well, you don't seem to get it. What Blackboard is sending as 'user_id' is the User primary key identifier (e.g., _16476_1) , and not the friendlier username (e.g., test1_student).

I tried passing a template variable (e.g., @X@user.id@X@)

http://www.imsglobal.org/developers/BLTI/tool.php?userid=@X@user.id@X@

but it didn't come through.

Suggested enhancement: Let us decide what to send back as user_id amongst the myriad of possibilities (external person key, username, email, etc)

Update April 27, 2011 - I've been told there will be some changes coming in 9.1SP8 to address the user_id/username.