LTI 1.3 (LTI only)

Use this guide if the learning app asked you to connect LTI Advantage, not Blackboard, as the data source. You will still install the tool in Blackboard, but Edlink will not sync Blackboard roster data over the Blackboard API.

If you already connected Blackboard as a data source and only need to add LTI, use this guide instead:

Please confirm with the learning app that an LTI-only source is something they support before proceeding.

Step 1: Start the Integration Flow in Edlink

• Click the integration link provided by your learning app. It will look something like this:
  https://ed.link/integrate/cfacdefd-9bf4-4ec6-9bb9-000000000000
  If you did not receive a link, please reach out to the learning app you are trying to connect to, or email support@ed.link. If you email support, include the name of the learning app you are trying to connect to.
• Create an Edlink account if you don't already have one. If you've connected an app to Edlink before, log in with your existing account.
  If you are not sure whether you have an Edlink account, search your email inbox for a previous login code from support@ed.link. The subject will look something like "Your Login Code." All logins require an email code, so this is a good way to check if you have logged in before.
• Choose your learning institution. If you have connected to Edlink before, you should see your district. If this is your first time, type your district name in the search bar and select it when it shows up.

If your district does not appear, click Use 'Learning Institution Name' to create a new district.

• Search for LTI Advantage (not Blackboard) from the list of available data sources.

• Choose your preferred data storage region.

Click Continue.

• Select Blackboard as your LMS.

• Enter your Blackboard URL.

You must include https:// at the beginning of the URL. When you enter this correctly, the outline of the box will turn blue and the next steps will be unlocked.

Click Continue. Leave this tab open. You will need it for later steps.

Step 2: Configure the LTI Advantage Tool in Blackboard

• Log in to Blackboard and open the Administrator Panel.

• In the Administrator Panel, select LTI Tool Providers.

• Click Register LTI 1.3/Advantage Tool.

• Enter the Client ID provided by your learning application.

• Blackboard will open a page with pre-filled information about the tool.

• Copy the Client ID and Default Deployment ID into the Edlink dashboard in the tab you left open in Step 1.

• Return to Blackboard and click Submit.
• Return to the Edlink setup page, scroll down, and click Validate Configuration.
  • If the configuration is correct, you will see green check marks confirming that the connection was successfully validated.
  • If you do not see green check marks, click Continue Anyway and email support@ed.link so our team can review the configuration.
• Click Return to Edlink Dashboard.

Step 3: Decide on Your Tool's Placement

Blackboard allows you to place the newly created LTI tool in several locations within your Blackboard instance.

The tool can be configured as:

• A standard course launch tool
• A deep linking tool that can be embedded into course content or assignments
• Both

If you want the tool to be available as a deep linking tool in assignments and in course tools, you must create multiple placements.

Step 4: Create the Placement

To manage the tool's placements:

• Locate the application in Blackboard.
• Click the arrow next to the application name.
• Select Manage Placements.

To add placements, select Create Placement.

Complete the placement form. You will be asked to enter:

• Label: The name of the tool
• Handle: Uniquely identifies the placement. It is recommended to differentiate between your deep-linked placement and course content tool if you are creating both.
• Availability: Yes

Type

• Select Deep Linking Content Tool if the learning application allows users to create or sync assignments and grades through Blackboard.
• Select Course Content Tool if users only need to launch directly into the learning application.

Select Launch in New Window if you want the application to open in a new browser window.

If you are unsure whether the application should launch in a new window, contact the learning application or support@ed.link. If you contact Edlink Support, include the name of the learning application you are connecting.

Tool Provider Information

In the text box next to Target Link URI, enter the LTI Configuration JSON URL from the Edlink dashboard and add /launch to the end of the URL.

To find your Target Link URI, return to the Edlink Dashboard tab you left open at the end of Step 2:

• Return to the Edlink Dashboard tab you left open in Step 2.
• Click Integrations on the left-hand side.

• Find the appropriate integration and select it.

• Locate the LTI Configuration section.

• Find the Configuration JSON URL and click it to copy the URL.

In the text box next to Target Link URI, enter the LTI Configuration JSON URL you just copied from the Edlink dashboard and add /launch to the end of the URL. Your configuration will look like the following:

https://ed.link/api/authentication/lti/00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000/launch

• Click Submit.

Create an Additional Placement, If Needed

If your learning application requires both a Deep Linking Content Tool placement and a Course Content Tool placement, repeat this process to create a second placement.

Create one placement using Deep Linking Content Tool, then repeat the steps and create another placement using Course Content Tool. Be sure to give each tool a unique handle.

Well Done!

You have successfully created an LTI Advantage integration for Blackboard and installed your learning application as an LTI tool!

Any Questions?

If you have any questions or encounter issues, please contact our support team. We'll respond within 1 business day.