This article applies to LTI 1.1 only
EDIT: 2021. Blackboard is phasing out support for building blocks entirely.
We recommend that you plan to transition to LTI if you have not already.
Talis Aspire Reading List's Learning Tools Interoperability (LTI) integration can be used on its own or alongside existing integrations with your learning systems.
This article presents a few common scenarios that customers are using to get the most out of LTI integrations. If you have any questions at all about your specific circumstances, please raise a ticket with Talis Support.
Current Integration Summary
There a number of ways in which your learning system might be already integrated with Talis Aspire. Firstly, we outline the integration methods that you might be using.
LTI Tool (using the learning systems' integral LTI Consumer implementation) — Allows instructors to place links to lists or sections within the context of the rest of their course content. This means students can see their reading list content without leaving the learning system. The level of embedding does depend on how the host learning system handles LTI content. Where links are added but no lists have been associated with the link, Talis Aspire Reading Lists will 'best guess' which list to link to based on the course code and teaching period. See Videos and more detail.
LTI plus Moodle Activity Module — The use of Talis Aspire's Moodle Activity Module smooths some of the user experience for using an LTI Tool in Moodle. It allows course resource lists to appear as a resource type to be added to course content areas. When adding an activity it only presents options that an academic needs to make a decision about, instead of the usual 'external tool' screen. Further info on the Moodle Activity Module.
LTI plus "Basic LTI" Building Block — There is a third party building block written by Stephen Vickers called "Basic LTI" which extends Blackboard's integral LTI Consumer implementation with a set of customizations that allow for greater embedding options within course content areas, and even popup overlays. This building block is not provided by Talis, but a number of customers have used our LTI tool with this and it works well. Read more on Blackboard and LTI.
Blackboard Course Tool — Once installed this building block can be automatically added to courses through Blackboard's templating systems. This means that every course can have the link added and does not rely on the academic to make a link. Links to lists always open in Talis Aspire in an external window outside of Blackboard. You cannot link to sections of a list. View the code and README for the Course Tool Building Block.
Blackboard 'Module' Building Block — This block is not recommended as it requires functionality in the CE licensed Blackboard. This block is not maintained. If you are using it or something based on it, you should look to migrate away to using LTI. View the code for this Block.
Moodle Block — This Moodle plugin provides a block that can be added to the sidebar areas of Moodle. The block can be forced to appear on all courses without the intervention of the academic. Clicks on lists displayed in the block open in a new window outside of the learning system. You cannot link to sections of a list.
Scenarios
Moodle Scenario 1
Use the Moodle Block plugin (which you might already be using) to show a link to the list for each course.
Use the LTI integration to allow academics to use an 'External Tool' to add their reading lists as part of their course content delivery. Academics can link to relevant sections of their list to support weekly or topic based course organisation.
Moodle Scenario 2
Use the Moodle Block plugin (which you might already be using) to show a link to the list for each course.
Use the LTI integration along with Talis' Moodle Activity Module plugin to allow academics to add their reading lists in a simpler and less confusing way. Academics can add a source resource list activity as part of their course content delivery. Academics can link to relevant sections of their list to support weekly or topic based course organisation.
Blackboard Scenario 1
Use the Talis Aspire Building Block to allow a course tool navigation menu item to show on all courses.
Use the core Blackboard LTI integration to provide LTI tool placements in the create menu for content pages.
There is no issue with dual running, as long as you are using the latest build of this block.
Blackboard Scenario 2
Use the Talis Aspire Building Block to allow a course tool navigation menu item to show on all courses.
Use Stephen Vickers Basic LTI building block to add LTI Tool placements which open in an overlay, iFrame, or tinker with other custom configurations.
There is no issue with dual running, as long as you are using the latest build of this block.
Blackboard Scenario 3
Some customers are using a very early version of a Building Block which is no longer actively maintained, although there has been a recent one-off bug fix released. If you are using this block, you should plan to be migrating away from it. If you are using the latest build of the plugin (version numbers have remained the same) then you should find that everything will work when you start using LTI.
Use LTI as described in either scenario 1 or 2 above.
There is no issue with dual running, as long as you are using the latest build of this block.
Canvas Scenario
Learning Tools Interoperability is the only way to integrate Talis Aspire Reading Lists into Canvas. Read more here.
Desire 2 Learn
Learning Tools Interoperability is the only Talis supported method to integrate Talis Aspire Reading Lists into Desire 2 Learn.
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