Canvas LTI 1.3 Integration Guide
This guide provides step-by-step instructions for integrating TeachFront with Canvas using LTI 1.3 (Learning Tools Interoperability).
Overview
LTI 1.3 is the latest standard for integrating learning tools with Learning Management Systems (LMS). This integration allows students to access TeachFront directly from their Canvas courses, with seamless authentication and grade synchronization.
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:
- Canvas Administrator Setup - Configure TeachFront as an LTI tool in Canvas
- 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
- Navigate to Canvas
- Navigate to the Admin panel
- Navigate to Developer Keys
Step 2: Create LTI Key
- Click "+ Developer Key"
- Select "+ LTI Key" from the dropdown menu
Step 3: Configure Key Settings
- Under "Key Name", enter "TeachFront" or your desired key name.
- Under "Redirect URIs", enter:
https://teachfront.com/api/lti/authorization
Step 4: Configure Registration Method
- Under "Method", click "Enter URL"
- Paste the following URL into the text box:
https://teachfront.com/api/lti/registration - Click "Save"
Step 5: Activate the Integration
- Under the "State" column, switch TeachFront to "ON"
- Under the "Details" column, locate the "client id" (no need to click "Show key")
- Copy the client ID (it should be approximately 14 digits long, similar to:
10000000000010)
This client ID is what instructors will use to add TeachFront to their courses. Make sure to share this ID with your instructors.
For Instructors Using Canvas
Once your Canvas administrator has configured TeachFront, follow these steps to link your course:
Step 1: Access Course Settings
- Navigate to Canvas
- Navigate to the course you would like to link with TeachFront
- Navigate to "Settings"
Step 2: Add TeachFront App
- Click "Apps" in the menu bar
- Click "+ App"
- Under "Configuration Type", select "By Client ID"
- Enter the Client ID provided by your Canvas administrator
- Click "Submit"
Step 3: Link Your Course
- Refresh the page
- On the course menu, click "TeachFront"
- Wait for the widget to load, then log into your TeachFront account
- Select the TeachFront course you would like to link this Canvas course to
Step 4: Configure Grade Translation
- Enter how you would like TeachFront grade distinctions to be translated into point percentages. This is necessary to work with traditional grading systems like Canvas.
- Click "Link Course" to finish linking your course. Your course is now linked!
Step 5: Sync Assignments
To sync TeachFront and Canvas assignments:
- Navigate to TeachFront > (Your course) > Assignments
- 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
- As a student, open Canvas
- Navigate to your course
- Click "TeachFront" in the course menu
Step 2: Sign In or Create Account
- Wait for the TeachFront widget to load
- Sign in to your existing TeachFront account, or create a new one. Once signed in, your account will be automatically linked to the course
Step 3: Begin Using TeachFront
- You're now ready to begin using TeachFront for your coursework!
Make sure to inform your students about this process. You may want to include these instructions in your course syllabus or send them via Canvas announcements.
What Happens Next
After completing the integration:
- Students can access TeachFront directly from their Canvas course.
- Grades from TeachFront will automatically sync to Canvas
- Assignments can be synchronized between both platforms
Troubleshooting
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:
- Technical Support: Contact your Canvas administrator
- TeachFront Support: founders@teachfront.com
- Canvas Documentation: Canvas LTI Documentation