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BYU Office of Information Technology
Canvas LMS at BYU

LTI Applications in Canvas

Information about adding and using LTI applications in Canvas, at byu.instructure.com

Introduction to LTI applications

LTI ("Learning Ineroperability Tool") applications are add-ons to a learning management system that allow users (teachers, students, administrators) to use content and features not native to the LMS from inside the course environment. LTIs are used to embed content in a Canvas course, facilitate vendor-managed activities, and feed data to the Canvas course Gradebook.

Finding LTIs for your course

There are multiple ways of finding LTI apps for your needs:

EduApp Center

Teachers can find a large selection of LTIs ready-for-use in Canvas LMS at Instructure's EduAppCenter. This catalog of LTI applications includes free and paid services. The EduApp Center does not list every app available for use in Canvas: Check your favorite software / content provider to see if a non-partner Canvas LIT is offered directly from them.

Course App listing

Inside your course, you can quickly find and install applications on your Settings page, on the Apps tab. Note that some of these LTIs may require an account and/or license with the vendor.

LTI Course Installs

Individual LTIs can be installed by teachers (and administrators) on the course level- in most cases without any review or approval, from the course Settings page, on the Apps tab.

Note: Some LTIs require an advanced configuration, even if they are installed only in a single course. (See below)

University / Department LTI apps

BYU and some of its department sub-account spaces in Canvas have pre-approved and installed some applications that are available to you in your course, by default. These apps include Zoom, Box, YouTube, and Khan Academy, among others. You can find these apps listed in the following locations:

  • Course Settings -> Apps:
    Click on the "Installed" option to view apps that are already installed university-wide and are ready for use in your course. (Go to the RCE to begin using the app - See below)
  • Rich Content Editor menu / toolbar:
    In the RCE, select Tools -> Apps to see the apps university-enabled apps that are available in your course. Select the desired app to begin working with it.
  • Course Settings ->Navigation:
    Some apps (such as Zoom) are available in any course, but they are inactive and must be enabled. Drag the link for the desired app to the top stack to enable it in your course.

Requests for advanced LTI app configuration

Some LTI applications require an advanced setup, particularly if they are accessing detailed user information, require more than basic LTI access to Canvas data, are built on the LTI 1.3 standard, or need to be widely available in Canvas (across many courses).

LTIs that require an advanced configuration will likely also require security and privacy review, and the submission of corresponding documentation. Follow this link to current information for LTI vendors. Requests for advanced LTI configuration, as well as security and privacy documentation, can be emailed to canvas_team@byu.edu .