Explorance Leads the Charge for Interoperability

Unique problems require unique solutions, and we live in a solution-oriented world. As the market for solutions continues to grow, thanks to the expansion of access to the internet and a boom in the digital device and application space, “There’s an app for that!” has become a bit of a battle cry. However, independent solutions are built independently for a reason, to protect intellectual property. Unfortunately, that protection often means that the tools in our arsenal don’t always work well together. Thankfully, there’s a solution to that problem, too.

Learning Tools Interoperability (LTI) is a standard developed by the IMS Global Learning Consortium that allows learning platforms, portals, and other systems to connect to and support one another. If you’re new to LTI, consider this analogy.

There was a time when each device that plugged into our computers required a unique port (VGA, ethernet, and HDMI for example), but our devices have evolved to be compatible with a single port type in most cases, USB. Implementing this standard enabled technology producers to focus on product benefits instead of product connectors. It also benefitted consumers by allowing them to choose products based on their effectiveness and efficiency rather than connection types.

Establishing a standard sets value expectation, and LTI 1.3 has raised the bar for interoperability. In response to concerns about the privacy of student and faculty data, security is at the heart of LTI 1.3. It leverages OAuth 2.0 to improve authentication and role-based user workflow scalability. The upgrade also enables solution providers to evolve their services without impacting security directly. In addition, the IMS team built LTI 1.3 to make it easy to upgrade from the previous specification, so no one is left behind.

We spoke with Explorance’s own, Dr. Yeona Jang, to learn more. Yeona has served on IMS’s Caliper Analytics Product Steering Committee since 2017 and the IMS Global Europe Board since 2018. “As technologies advance, interoperability standards need to keep up to ensure interoperability, quality, and superior user experiences,” said Yeona. “LTI standards make it easier for both EdTech providers and educational institutions to add even more services going forward securely, and it’s mobile-friendly!”

At Explorance, we’re committed to not only keep up with interoperability standards but to lead the charge. We are proud to announce that Blue is joining Bluepulse as officially LTI 1.3 certified. We and our certified partners know how important it is for organizations and institutions to be able to flex on the fly, engage the right communities at the right times, and shape behaviors to improve results. The Canvas, Blackboard, and Brightspace Learning Management Systems (LMS) are just a few of our partnering solutions that are already benefitting from LTI integrations. We agree that interoperability is the way forward, and we commit to improving our flexibility and efficiency sustainably together.

In a world of growing cloud-based applications and environments, the ability to connect our platforms and experiences seamlessly and rapidly for all users is critical. Integrating products is a tremendous value to organizations big and small. When LTI 1.3 acts as a translator and bridge between certified applications, administrators don’t have to spend their time and resources building individual connections between all their solutions. Instead, they can rely on the fact the LTI certified products connect right out of the box to quickly integrate with one another and deliver value on day one.

As technologies advance, interoperability standards need to keep up to ensure interoperability, quality, and superior user experiences. LTI standards make it easier for both EdTech providers and educational institutions to add even more services going forward securely, and it’s mobile-friendly!

Dr. Yeona Jang, IMS’s Caliper Analytics Product Steering Committee and IMS Global Europe Board