LTI Vocabulary

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Learning Tools Interoperability (LTI) is a standard developed by 1EdTech that allows educational tools to integrate seamlessly within learning management systems like Canvas. This vocabulary provides key terms and definitions related to LTI, helping users understand its specifications, deployment, and functionality within Canvas. 

Term	Definition
1.1	LTI 1.1 specification. This was the first version of the current LTI specification. This specification has been deprecated by 1EdTech, though Canvas still supports it.
1.3	LTI 1.3 specifications. This is the current LTI specification. LTI 1.3 tools have a developer key, which LTI 1.1 tools do not - this is an easy way to identify which specification a tool uses.  See 1EdTech LTI 1.3 specification.
1EdTech	Formerly known as IMS or IMS Global, 1EdTech is the organization that writes the LTI standards. They also provide other standards such as Common Cartridge, Caliper, and Badges, as well as certification services for those standards.  See 1EdTech.
AGS	Assignment and Grade Services. This is the specification which allows LTI 1.3 tools to manage gradebook columns associated with their tools.  See 1EdTech AGS specification.
Asset processor	Not yet implemented. A way to indicate to tools that there is a file or files ready for processing, let them collect the file, process it, and return a report. This is a 1.3 specification.
Basic Outcomes Service	LTI 1.1 specification for updating grades associated with an assignment owned by a tool.
Configuration	The details about how a tool will launch including what domain it uses, what the launch URL is, how we authenticate with it, etc.
Deep Linking	A way of linking to a specific piece of content, rather than a whole tool.
Dev(eloper) Key	Under Admin > Settings > Developer Key, this is the configuration which an LTI 1.3 tool install refers back to when launching. It controls things like what URL is launched, what URL is reached out to for authentication, which variable substitutions are sent, etc.
Dynamic Registration	Fully supported in Canvas. It allows users to enter a URL for Instructure and a tool to do an automated handshake to set up the Developer key. Tools must support this standard to use this install method.
EduAppCenter	A catalog of LTI 1.1 tools which can be quickly and easily installed in Canvas. This site also supports an allowlist for admins to limit the tools that instructors can install. See EduAppCenter.
iFrame	An inline frame. A frame within Canvas in which an LTI tool can be displayed. The alternative to displaying an LTI tool in an iFrame is opening a new window.
IMS/ IMS Global	See entry for 1EdTech.
Install/Deployment	A tool’s installation in Canvas. This is separate from the Developer Key. Installed tools can be seen in either a course or global admin under Settings > Apps > View App Configurations.
Launch	Accessing an LTI tool from Canvas triggers a launch which opens the tool and sends information from Canvas about the context from which it was opened and the user who took the action.
Line Item	A gradebook column tied to an assignment See Canvas Line Item Specification.
LTI	Learning Tools Interoperability. A standard owned by 1EdTech which allows multiple edtech companies to use the same API formats (including authentication, launch, etc) so that tools within the ecosystem work together. This saves costs since each tool integration does not have to be custom written and maintained.
LTI Advantage	The three core LTI 1.3 services are Names and Roles Provisioning Service, Deep Linking, and Assignments and Grade Service. Tools can be certified with LTI Advantage, providing confidence to clients that the tool will work within their ecosystem. See 1EdTech LTI Advantage Overview.
Names and Roles Provisioning Service (NRPS)	LTI 1.3 specification for LMSs (Canvas) to provide course roster information to tools. See Canvas NRPS documentation 1EdTech NRPS documentation.
Placement	The location in Canvas from which an LTI tool is accessible. Examples include the Assignment Submission Type dialog, the Rich Content Editor, and the Navigation Menu.  See Screenshots of each available LTI placement within Canvas. More details about select placements can be found in the left-hand menu from here.
Platform Storage	Also known as Cookieless Launch. This is a specification that allows tools to send cookies they need stored to Canvas, which then sends them to the browser. This means that when browsers lock down cross site cookies the tool can continue to work. For more information, see the Canvas Documentation on Launching Without Cookies and the 1EdTech Implementation Guide.
Resource Link	Provides direct access to learning tools or content.
Tool	An application that can be launched from Canvas and uses the LTI specifications. Tools can be owned by third parties (e.g., Google, Microsoft, McGraw Hill) or by Instructure (e.g., New Quizzes, Studio, Catalog).
Variable Substitutions	Variables specific to Canvas that have been added to the LTI endpoints. These variables are not specified by 1EdTech, and other platforms may not make them available. However, Canvas includes them so integrations can use the additional information without requiring a separate API key. See Canvas' Variable Substitutions.