The Canvas learning management system (LMS) offers a range of features and tools that support teaching and learning. In addition to built-in features, Canvas provides access to third party applications (apps) by LTI (Learning Tools Interoperability). LTI tools, such as those found on the EduAppCenter, extend the features of the platform. Middlebury makes LTIs available to extend the capabilities of our curricular systems, while also being mindful of how student data is shared.
More information about available LTI tools, LTI status, requests, and review process appears below the policy section.
Middlebury Policies
Responsible citizenship in the Middlebury community obliges users of technology services to practice and maintain safe, responsible and ethical online behavior, awareness of the impacts of one’s actions, and respect for the rights of others. Appropriate use of technology services is governed by the Middlebury Handbook and ITS departmental policies.
LTI (Learning Tools Interoperability) is a secure standard for third party learning applications. 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. Learn more about LTI tools at IMS Global.
LTIs are installed and configured at two levels in Canvas:
- Enterprise-level: external tools are installed by your 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. Learn more about the Canvas App Center and external apps with this Canvas Guide
In the table below, the LTI status is differentiated by its current stage in the review process:
- Requested: a request to review the LTI has been submitted
- In Review: the LTI is being vetted by the Canvas LTI advisory group
- On Hold: the LTI has been piloted, additional review required
- Approved: the LTI has been vetted by the Canvas LTI advisory group
- Available: the LTI has been vetted as an external app, requires installation
- In Pilot: The LTI is being piloted with a limited group for testing, installed pending a final review
- Installed: The LTI has been configured and is in production
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. Complete the Canvas LTI Request form to initiate a review of a Canvas LTI app.
Once an LTI is requested, the vendor will be contacted by DLINQ’s LTI Advisory Group. 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 LTI Advisory Group will review responses and policies submitted to the security questionnaire and use the following questions to guide a decision 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)
LTI apps that have been reviewed for use by instructors at the course level will be visible in the Canvas App Center. To install and configure an approved external app in your course, review this Canvas guide: https://community.canvaslms.com/docs/DOC-12854
Contact the DLINQ team to schedule a consultation.
| LTI Link | Description | Level | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bookshelf by Vitalsource | Provides students access to textbooks directly in the context of course materials. | Enterprise | In Pilot | Extended pilot Spring 2020 |
| CidiLabs Design Tools | Helps course designers and instructors improve course design, accessibility, course readiness tracking and file management. | Enterprise | Installed | |
| Flipgrid | Social video, audio, and text discussion tool that allows instructors and students to interact with one another in ways that may heighten social presence | Course | Installed | |
| Google Apps | Access and embed Google Drive files for collaboration, assignments, content sharing, grading | Enterprise | Installed | |
| Go React | Set up video based assignments, make student recordings, give and receive text, audio, or video feedback | Course | In Pilot | Extended Spring 2020 |
| Hypothes.is | Website and document annotation tools | Course | In Pilot | Extended Spring 2020 |
| Khan Academy | Embed Khan Academy instructional videos into course material. | Course | Installed | |
| Microsoft Office 365 | Access and embed O365 files for collaboration, assignments, content sharing, grading | Enterprise | Installed | |
| LibGuides by Springshare | Embed subject and course guides as well as databases into Canvas. | Enterprise | Installed | |
| MacMillan Learning | Integrates Canvas with Macmillan's LaunchPad program | Course | Installed | |
| MatLab Grader | Browser-based authoring environment allows creation, sharing, and grading of MATLAB-based assignments | Course | On Hold | |
| Panopto | Robust video hosting, streaming, and screencasting platform. | Enterprise | Installed | |
| Pearson | Provides access to Pearson content from a Canvas course. | Course | Installed | |
| Pearson My Lab & Mastering | Provides the ability for instructor and students to link from Canvas course to access their Pearson MyLab and Mastering resources. | Course | Installed | |
| Perusall | E-book reader with collaborative annotation tools | Course | On Hold | |
| Piazza | Web based threaded discussions | Course | On Hold | |
| Qualtrics | Survey tools | Course | On Hold | |
| Redirect Tool | Add links to external web resources that show up as navigation items in course, user or account navigation. | Course | Installed | |
| Remind | 2-way text based communication platform that helps colleges to reach and engage with their entire campus community | Course | On Hold | |
| Text Reader | Create blocks of text where students can click any word in the text and retrieve an inline definition of the word. | Course | On Hold | |
| Trello | Shows summary information for a public Trello board. Collaboratively organize thoughts, ideas, tasks into categories or lists. | Course | Installed | |
| Embed a Twitter feed on any page in Canvas. | Enterprise | Installed | ||
| UDOIT | Enables instructors to identify accessibility issues in their Canvas course content. | Enterprise | Installed | |
| Vimeo | Search for and embed videos into course content. | Enterprise | Installed | |
| Wikipedia | Search through English Wikipedia articles and link to or embed these articles into course material. | Course | Installed | |
| Youtube | Embeds a YouTube video into content. | Enterprise | Installed | |
| Zoom Pro | Adds course-level access to instructor Zoom account to schedule and manage meetings, start or join meetings, view and manage upcoming and previous meetings, as well as recordings | Enterprise | Installed | Expedited Spring 2020 |