LTI Policy for Canvas

What are LTI Tools?

LTI stands for Learning Tools Interoperability and is an integration standard for third party tools. Canvas supports LTI which allows third party tools to be easily integrated and used within Canvas.

What LTI Tools are available in Canvas?

The following tools are installed system wide:

  • Ares/Course Reserves
  • Atomic Search (excluding PSOM and Dental)
  • Cengage Learning Mindlinks
  • Ed Discussion
  • JoVe
  • Libguides
  • McGraw Hill Connect
  • Panopto
  • Pearson MyLabs
  • Perusall
  • Turnitin
  • Zoom

Note that several tools are currently in pilot and available for use. In addition, some schools also have specific tools available for their faculty to use.

How do I request a new LTI Tool be added to Canvas?

Contact the appropriate Couseware Advisory member for your school and work with them to complete our LTI Request Form

Please note that the installation of new tools will happen prior to the start of terms (unless there is an urgent need) to minimize disruption to users.

There is a four week moratorium on installations two weeks prior to the first day of classes through two weeks after the first day of classes.

What concerns are there for LTI tools?

  • FERPA/Privacy
  • Accessibility
  • Security
  • Cost
  • Level of installation (some tools can only be installed system wide while others can be installed at the school or course level)
  • Copyright/ownership of content and how content may be used by the vendor
  • Terms of Service/Licence Agreements (which may be between an institution and the vendor or between individual users and the vendor)

How are these concerns addressed?

Penn completes a security and privacy review for all third party tools called a Vendor Security Technical Assessment of Risk (VSTAR) so that any concerns are addressed prior to installation.

We also request that vendors complete a Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT) so we can review tools for accessibility compliance.

Who should I contact with questions?

You can contact canvas@pobox.upenn.edu with any questions.

Last Updated: 3 Aug 2022