Making a SCORM Course Accessible to Other LMSs with an LTI Provider

What is LTI and What Can It Do?

LTI (Learning Tools Interoperability) is a standard that allows you to easily share content developed in Moodle with other LMSs. This means you can make the same course or activity available to users of another system without needing to duplicate the content.

Single Sign-On Without Additional Configuration

One of the biggest advantages of LTI is that it automatically functions as a Single Sign-On (SSO). Users from the external LMS (the LTI consumer) can directly access Moodle content without needing a separate login. This simplifies access for students and instructors alike.

Additionally, LTI enables automatic synchronisation of results, such as grades, back to the LTI consumer. This means scores are recorded in a clear and organized way within both systems.

How to Set Up Moodle as an LTI Provider

Since Moodle 3.1, the LTI provider feature has been built in by default, so you no longer need to install additional plugins. The LTI provider includes two integrated plugins: one for authentication and one for logging in. Once your site administrator enables this feature, you’re ready to get started.

Configuration Steps

1. Access Your Moodle Course
   Navigate to the course you want to share.
2. Add the LTI Method via Enrollment Methods
   Use the enrollment method settings to enable LTI.
3. Set Parameters
   • What to Share: Decide whether to share an entire course or just a specific activity.
   • Access Restrictions: Set time limits or a maximum number of users.
   • Role Settings: Define whether users with instructor roles in the external system will retain the instructor role in Moodle or receive another role.

These settings are flexible and can be adjusted for different use cases.

Setting Up Grade Synchronisation

LTI allows grades to be automatically synchronised with the external LMS, but this requires specific configuration.

How Does Grade Synchronisation Work?

• For Single Activities: The score for that activity is sent back to the external LMS.
• For Full Courses: The total course grade is synchronised.

Grade Synchronisation Options

You can configure grades to:

• Synchronise Always: Update with every grade change.
• Synchronise on Completion: Only send grades after a specific activity or course is completed.

Important Considerations

• Grade Format: Grades are transmitted as values between 0.0 (0%) and 1.0 (100%). For example, a value of 0.8 represents 80%.
• Custom Scales: If you’re using custom scales, test them thoroughly to ensure accurate value transmission.
• Gradebook Adjustment: If you only want to share test results, configure your gradebook to display those results as the final grade.

Final Steps: Enrollment and Data Sharing

Before finalising your configuration:

• Ensure Enrollments Sync Properly: Moodle can automatically manage user enrollments and unenrollments.
• Set Unique Identifiers: Use the organization field to distinguish clients at a profile level.

Moodle will then generate the necessary details to share with the LTI consumer, such as:

• The URL
• The secret key, a unique code securing communication between platforms

Tips for Implementation

• Use Consistent Secret Keys: Avoid duplicate accounts by assigning each client the same secret key.
• Optimize Navigation: Create a separate LTI role or custom theme for LTI users to limit their navigation within Moodle. Some organizations even use a “child theme” specifically for LTI courses.
• Test Thoroughly: Check that everything works correctly in the external LMS, including grade synchronisation and content access.

Which LTI Versions Does Moodle Support?

Moodle supports various versions of the LTI standard:

• LTI 1.0/1.1 and 2.0: Available in older Moodle versions.
• LTI 1.3: With improved security and functionality, supported from Moodle 3.7 onward.

Keeping your Moodle installation up to date ensures you can take advantage of the latest LTI capabilities.

Summary

LTI makes it easy to share content from Moodle with other LMSs. Whether you’re offering an entire course or a specific activity, LTI provides a flexible and user-friendly solution. Features like Single Sign-On and grade synchronization save time and provide users with a seamless experience.

Interested in making SCORM packages available via LTI? Ensure your Moodle site is properly configured, test your setup, and start sharing your content today.