eClass Support
Adding External Apps (LTI) in Canvas
Last modified on 26 March 2025 12:06 PM

Just like in eClass, instructors can add external LTI tools or apps that link out to online educational tools into their Canvas courses. This is not required for the existing institutionally-licensed tools which are already added to Canvas and available for use: Zoom, YuJa, Talis Library Reading Lists, Assign2, Smart Exam Monitor, Google Assignments, Approved Student Accommodations, and Willo Labs 1.1. Instructions for using any of these pre-existing site-wide tools can be found below.

This article guides instructors in adding personally licensed or free-to-use apps into their particular course(s). 

Adding Basic LTI 1.1 Apps

Any external apps that use the LTI 1.1 specification can be added to courses using the following vendor-supplied information:

  • Consumer Key
  • Shared Secret
  • Launch URL

Using this information, instructors can enter their course settings, navigate to the 'Apps' tab, and add the External App following the instructions in this article. Note that if the documentation provided by an app or tool vendor mentions 'Developer Keys' are using the LTI 1.3 specification (see below).

Since all LTI tools have automatic data flows from the LMS, before adding tools to their courses instructors should review IST's Security and Privacy checklist and have the integration reviewed if necessary. If you are unsure whether this is required, please reach out to the Senior IT Partner for your college or faculty.

Alternative methods to Add LTI 1.1 External Apps

To make the process easier, Canvas also lets instructor add External Apps using these other options:

Adding LTI 1.3 Apps to Canvas

Apps that use the LTI 1.3 specification (ones that require developer keys) cannot be added manually to courses without first being added site-wide by IST Canvas administrators. Once added globally, it is then possible for tools to be deployed only in specific course contexts so instructors can use tools that they have licensed only for their course use. All apps that are added site-wide are REQUIRED to pass through a governance process and through IST's Security and Privacy process.

The governance process is still being finalized but for now instructors should complete this google form as a starting point for requests or contact eClass suppot for more information about getting LTI 1.3 apps installed for their course. The basic steps involved are:

  • IST eClass Support performs basic tool review and initial technical evaluation using a Canvas test server; if this passes:
  • The requester submits the app for a security and privacy review; if this passes:
  • The tool is reviewed by the DTLSC and the VP Learning Initiatives for overall fit in the U of A's exsiting Digital Learning environment; if this passes:
  • The tool gets installed in Canvas and released to courses based on the governance guidelines provided.

Note that tool requests may be rejected based on a number of factors including existing overlapping functionality, technical or security concerns, problems with scope or costing models, etc. 

Using External Apps in Courses

Once added as apps, 1.1 or 1.3 tools can be used in courses in several ways:

The existing pre-installed institutionally-licensed University tools (listed below) can be used in courses in all these same methods. 

Existing (and In-Progress) LTI Tools in Canvas

Tool Name & Function Integration Details Usage Information
Zoom - Online meeting software Enabled.
IST & Vendor supported, available site-wide. 
Using Zoom in Canvas
YuJa - Video storage and streaming solution Enabled.
IST & Vendor supported, available site-wide.
Using YuJa in Canvas
Google Assignments - Native google document assignment tool Enabled.
IST & Vendor supported, available site-wide.
Google Assignments in Canvas
UA Library Reading Lists (Talis Aspire) - Configurable list of library resources for courses Enabled.
Supported by UA Libraries, available site-wide.
Create a Course Reading List
PressBooks - Open Education Textbook tool Enabled.
Supported by UA Libraries, available on request
Contact Open Publishing and Open Education Librarian, Michelle Brailey
LibGuides (SpringShare) - Subject-based library resources for courses Approved, scheduled for release May 2025.
Supported by UA Libraries, available site-wide.
Assign2 - Collaborative grading tool Enabled.
IST & Vendor supported, available site-wide.
Using Assign2 in Canvas
Smart Exam Monitor (SEM) - Exam Security Tool Enabled.
IST & Vendor supported, available site-wide.
Using SEM in Canvas
Respondus LDB and Monitor - Exam Security Tool Enabled.
Centrally supported, available site-wide.
Using RLDB
Willo Labs 1.1 - Textbook integration tool Enabled.Textbook integration tool.
Vendor supported, available site-wide.
Vendor will assist integrating into courses.
Approved Student Accommodations - ClockWorks Integration Enabled.
IST supported, available site-wide.
Adding the Accommodation Dashboard to Canvas
Lucid Education Suite - Collaborative Visual Diagramming tool Approved, scheduled for release May 1 2025.
Provided by Canvas, available site-wide.
Using Lucid Education Suite in Canvas
Code.org - Computer Science Education tool Enabled.
Free to use, self-supported. Integrated for Faculty of Education.
Integrated on a class-by-class basis. Contact IST eClass support for more information
GitHub Classroom - GitHub Coding Assignment Tool Enabled.
Free to use, self-supported. Integrated for Department of Computing Science.
Integrated on a class-by-class basis. Contact IST eClass support for more information
CrowdMark - Collaborative Grading tool Requested, under review. 
Requires payment for use.

Additional notes

  • For course-installed tools, instructors should seek technical support from the tool vendor. Since most LTI tools act as pass-throughs to external applications, IST Support can only troubleshoot within Canvas. Please provide any vendor LTI documentation if contacting the eClass team.

(0 vote(s))
Helpful
Not helpful

Comments (0)
-->