Canvas offers the ability to integrate with External Apps, also known as Learning Tools Interoperability, or LTIs. These are standardized add-ins to Canvas that enable additional tools and features.

These apps, or LTIs, are typically not owned or operated by Canvas, but are specifically designed for integration into Canvas. For example, Turnitin and YuJa.

The Turnitin LTI tool is a standalone service that promotes academic integrity by identifying unoriginal content in student work. It allows you as an instructor to create an assignment in Canvas that has Turnitin built in to the submission process - making it easier for your students to submit a paper.
YuJa is an enterprise video platform that offers a comprehensive Video Content Management System (Video CMS) to enable educational institutions to store, manage, distribute and stream media content. It allows you as an instructor to seamlessly stream media into your course rather than uploading it, so that it doesn't take up valuable space against your course data quota. Students can also use it to submit videos on assignments and other areas within Canvas.

Quick Start

What's Available?

There are several LTIs already integrated with Canvas. For the most up-to-date list, visit the LTIs page on the ITAC website.

How do I use an available LTI?

Each LTI could have different setup instructions. Most are accessed through Modules, by linking to an External Tool.

From the Modules page, click the + button to create a new Module.
Select External Tool from the drop-down menu.
Browse the list of available External Tools to find the one you want.
Click the tool name to select it. You may be required to configure additional options.
Click Add Item.

👉 Heads Up!

Not all LTIs are configured this way. Each tool could have a different method for adding it to your course. View the ITAC LTIs page for step-by-step instructions to configuring each tool. Instructions will only be available for approved and installed apps.

How do I request an LTI that's not already in TXST Canvas?

If your tool is not listed on the ITAC LTIs page, you can request to have it integrated with Canvas by submitting an External App (LTI) Request.

If your tool is already listed, it may be undergoing review and evaluation. There is no need to request it again.

If you want to see what's out there, visit the EduAppCenter for available Canvas LTIs.

About the Request and Evaluation Process

Every new LTI integration represents added risk. Student and instructor information is often passed between Canvas and the LTI tool. Some tools link into Canvas to create assignments or post grades. Frequently, FERPA data is shared with these external applications to complete tasks. This close integration exposes TXST faculty and students to the risk of having their personal information compromised or having campus systems hacked.

To mitigate this risk, we vet all LTI tools before adding them to TXST Canvas. We evaluate each tool for security, FERPA compliance, ADA compliance, and legal responsibility. Each tool must be authorized before it can be made available for use.

💡 Tips:

Requests for LTI Tools typically take 12 weeks to be reviewed, authorized, and integrated. It is strongly recommended you request tools far in advance of the semester you wish to use them.

🤿 Deeper Dive Guides

About TXST External Apps (LTI Tools) in Canvas