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Canvas LTI 1.3 Integration Guide

This guide walks Canvas admins and instructors through integrating TeachFront with Canvas using LTI 1.3 (Learning Tools Interoperability).

Overview​

LTI 1.3 is a standard for integrating learning tools with Learning Management Systems (LMS). With the TeachFront LTI integration, students and instructors can launch TeachFront from a Canvas course. If your course is linked and configured, TeachFront can also send grades back to Canvas.

Prerequisites​

Before beginning the integration process, ensure you have:

  • Canvas Administrators: Administrator access to your Canvas instance
  • Instructors: Access to a Canvas course and a TeachFront account

Integration Process​

The integration process involves two main steps:

  1. Canvas Administrator Setup - Configure TeachFront as an LTI tool in Canvas
  2. Instructor Setup - Link individual courses to TeachFront

For Canvas Administrators​

Follow these steps to configure TeachFront as an LTI tool in your Canvas instance:

Step 1: Access Developer Keys​

  1. Open Canvas.
  2. Go to the Admin area for your Canvas instance.
  3. Open Developer Keys.

Step 2: Create LTI Key​

  1. Click "+ Developer Key"
  2. Select "+ LTI Key" from the dropdown menu

Step 3: Configure Key Settings​

  1. Under "Key Name", enter "TeachFront" or your desired key name.
  2. Under "Redirect URIs", enter: 
    https://teachfront.com/api/lti/authorization
    If your TeachFront environment uses a different base URL, use the matching URL for your environment.

Step 4: Configure Registration Method​

  1. Under "Method", click "Enter URL"
  2. Paste the following URL into the text box: 
    https://teachfront.com/api/lti/registration
    If your TeachFront environment uses a different base URL, use the matching URL for your environment.
  3. Click "Save"

Step 5: Activate the Integration​

  1. Under the "State" column, switch TeachFront to "ON"
  2. Under the "Details" column, locate the "client id" (no need to click "Show key")
  3. Copy the client ID (a numeric ID like 10000000000010)

Client ID note: instructors will use this client ID to add TeachFront to their courses. Share it with the instructors who will be linking courses.

For Instructors Using Canvas​

Once your Canvas administrator has configured TeachFront, follow these steps to link your course:

Step 1: Access Course Settings​

  1. Open Canvas.
  2. Open the course you want to link with TeachFront.
  3. Go to Settings.

Step 2: Add TeachFront App​

  1. Click "Apps" in the menu bar
  2. Click "+ App"
  3. Under "Configuration Type", select "By Client ID"
  4. Enter the Client ID provided by your Canvas administrator
  5. Click "Submit"
  1. Refresh the page
  2. On the course menu, click "TeachFront"
  3. Wait for the launch to load, then sign in to your TeachFront account (or create one if needed).
  4. If prompted, select the TeachFront course you want to link to this Canvas course.

Link TeachFront course to Canvas after LTI launch

Step 4: Configure Grade Translation​

During linking, TeachFront may ask you to enter percentage thresholds so scores can be returned to Canvas in a points/percentage format.

  1. Enter the percentage values for your grade distinctions.
  2. Fix any ordering/validation errors shown in the form.
  3. Select Link Course to finish linking.

Step 5: Sync Assignments​

To sync TeachFront and Canvas assignments:

  1. Navigate to TeachFront > (Your course) > Assignments
  2. Click "Sync Assignments"

For Students: Linking Your Account​

Once you've set up the integration, your students will need to link their accounts. Here's what they need to do:

Step 1: Access TeachFront from Canvas​

  1. As a student, open Canvas
  2. Navigate to your course
  3. Click "TeachFront" in the course menu

Step 2: Sign In or Create Account​

  1. Wait for the TeachFront widget to load
  2. Sign in to your existing TeachFront account, or create a new one. After you sign in, your account will be linked to the course.

Step 3: Begin Using TeachFront​

  1. You're now ready to begin using TeachFront for your coursework!

Instructor tip: consider sharing the “For students” steps above in your syllabus or a Canvas announcement so students know what to expect when launching TeachFront the first time.

What Happens Next​

After completing the integration:

  • Students can access TeachFront directly from their Canvas course.
  • Grades can be sent from TeachFront back to Canvas (when your course is linked and configured).
  • Assignments can be synced between TeachFront and Canvas (if enabled for your course/workflow).

Troubleshooting​

Invalid or expired Canvas launch​

If TeachFront shows an invalid or expired launch message when you open the tool from Canvas, use this guidance:

Please return to Canvas and open TeachFront from your course menu. If the issue continues, contact your instructor or TeachFront support.

Course not found or not linked​

If TeachFront cannot find a linked course for this Canvas course:

This Canvas course has not been linked to TeachFront yet. Please ask your instructor to complete the course link in TeachFront.

Instructors: complete Link Your Course (see Step 3 above) before students rely on the Canvas navigation link.

Linked but blocked: payment or membership slots​

After a successful link, students may still be blocked:

  • No slots available: the student is linked to the course but needs a slot (not enrollment failed). Add membership slots under Course Settings > Billing or adjust roster capacity.
  • Payment required: the student is linked to the course; payment is needed to proceed. Direct them to complete checkout from the course or payment entry point.

See Help students with payment-required or locked access and Resolve payment-required or locked access.

Score return to Canvas​

TeachFront sends scores to Canvas when the course is linked and grade conversion is configured. Score-return failures are not shown as detailed errors in the product today—if grades do not appear in Canvas, confirm linking, grade conversion, and assignment sync, then contact TeachFront support with course and assignment details. Do not document internal OAuth or API failure messages for end users unless product adds a user-visible failure state.

Common Issues​

If the TeachFront app doesn't appear:

  • Ensure your Canvas administrator has activated the integration
  • Verify you're using the correct Client ID
  • Try refreshing the page

If you can't log into TeachFront:

  • Make sure you have an active TeachFront account
  • Check that your email credentials are correct

If grades aren't syncing:

  • Verify the grade translation settings are configured correctly by going to TeachFront > (Your course) > Settings > Grade Calculations > Grade Distinctions and ensuring you have one or more grade distinctions

Support​

For additional assistance with the integration process: