Learning tools interoperability is the root cause of why B2B e-learning companies today rightly expect their training platforms to connect smoothly with assessment systems, video tools, and collaboration apps.
Instead of building custom connections for every tool, an LTI makes it possible to plug in external tools with less friction. As a result, instead of an incredibly complex 10-lane interchange, you get a bridge that connects all the important tools into one ecosystem.
Further in this article, we will give you the answer to the question: what is an LTI (Learning Tools Interoperability), and why standards like LTI are impossible to ignore today, especially if you are planning new courses or corporate training.
“When the systems fail to ‘talk’ to each other, both learners and administrators feel the pain. Over 250 products now hold LTI Advantage certification—a sign that the e-learning industry values secure, plug-and-play integration.” — E-learning Development Architect at Raccoon Gang.
At Raccoon Gang, our team has implemented LTI integrations in multiple Open edX projects, including one for Harvard. We’ll return to specific examples later in this guide. So, let’s get started!
Illustration of the LTI Bridge: connecting quizzes, multimedia, collaboration, and assessments into one teaching environment.
What is LTI Integration?
LTI (Learning Tools Interoperability) is a technical standard. IMS Global created it with one main goal in mind: to make different learning tools work together inside one platform.
What do we get in practice? You can connect tools like quizzes, video libraries, or proctoring systems directly into your LMS. From the learners’ perspective, it’s an opportunity to stay in the same interface. From the administrators’ perspective, it frees them from the burden of managing endless custom integrations.
So, when someone asks, “What is learning tools interoperability?” the answer should be: it’s the way your platform connects with external tools without extra coding.
Let’s explore the advantages of LTI, such as reducing duplication, simplifying authentication, and providing a seamless learning experience across multiple systems. The next block is exactly about that.
What are the LTI Advantages?
Adopting LTI integration brings numerous benefits for educators, learners, and organizations. Since LTI was created as a way to standardize and simplify, it makes sense that there would be benefits. Let’s go through the main ones:
Clear authentication that doesn’t confuse users
With LTI-based single sign-on (SSO), learners access all tools with one login without friction and security risks.
“With LTI, learners get single sign-on and one-click access to external tools. They can launch a quiz, simulation, or Zoom session directly from their course and return without juggling multiple accounts or platforms.” — Integration Specialist at Raccoon Gang.
Consistent learning experience
Learners stay in the same interface while moving between tools. Admins keep centralized control without losing flexibility. Real situation: since all course components feel like part of one system, students feel less confusion. Instructors also save time otherwise spent training students to navigate disparate systems.
A vast ecosystem for the Ed-tech industry
In fact, hundreds if not thousands of tools – from major vendor products to university-built applications – support LTI integration.
“The LTI standard handles user authentication, auto-creating user accounts on the tool if needed and passing back information like grades to the LMS gradebook, all in a secure transaction.” — LMS Developer at Raccoon Gang.
Less duplication means less manual work
For instance, a university could create interactive course modules in Open edX. They can then deploy those modules inside campus systems like Canvas or Moodle via LTI. This way, the institution blends the strengths of each platform.
Automatic transfer of grades from external systems
A major practical benefit of LTI (especially with newer versions) is the ability to sync grades and data automatically between the tool and the LMS. When a student completes an activity on an LTI tool, their score can flow back into the LMS gradebook without the instructor’s attention.
Minimal development effort
Using the LTI standard significantly reduces the need for costly custom software integrations between an LMS and external tools. Platforms that support LTI can adopt new tools “plug-and-play,” which accelerates innovation and lets organizations choose the best tools available without being locked into a single vendor.
Pro tip: When planning tool connections, it’s important to understand the core structure of your platform. If you’re new to the concept, here’s a quick overview of what an LMS is and how it works.
Benefits of Using Open edX with LTI
The Open edX (the open-source LMS that Raccoon Gang specializes in) can integrate everything from Zoom and Microsoft OneNote to Piazza and custom apps via LTI.
LMS components such as proctoring systems, analytics dashboards, video conferencing platforms, and more can easily connect into a single network.
Importantly, Open edX supports LTI in two roles:
- LTI consumer, embedding external tools into Open edX courses,
- LTI provider, allowing other LMSs to embed Open edX course content.
It means Open edX can serve as a central hub that both hosts third-party learning tools and shares its own course materials with other learning platforms.
Open edX includes an LTI Consumer XBlock (plugin). Using this component, virtually any LTI-compliant tool can be embedded:
- Zoom meeting widget
- 3rd-party interactive simulation
- Plagiarism-check assignment
Organizations often spend months building custom connections between systems. LTI helps avoid this by offering a standard approach to tool integration. You can also explore other types of LMS integration that support business goals.
Best Practices for LTI Implementation
- Check the latest LTI version (LTI 1.3 right now). It guarantees stronger security.
- You’d better start with core integrations, such as video conferencing or plagiarism detection. After the main ones, you can go further.
- Test every tool in a staging environment to confirm smooth access and grade syncing.
- Configure single sign-on so learners don’t need multiple logins.
- Enable grade synchronization when available to keep the LMS gradebook accurate.
- Document all configuration details and credentials for easier troubleshooting later.
LTI Advantage (LTI 1.3 Extensions)
Alongside LTI 1.3, the consortium introduced LTI Advantage – a package of extensions that sit on top of LTI 1.3 to enable deeper two-way integration between an LMS and tools. The LTI Advantage spec includes three primary services:
- Assignments and Grades
- Deep Linking
- Names and Roles Provisioning.
→ For more information, you can follow the official LTI component documentation.
“Today, LTI 1.3 with LTI Advantage is the recommended version to use, and major LMS vendors are phasing out older versions like LTI 1.1. Raccoon Gang stays up-to-date with these standards in the Open edX environments we deploy, ensuring our clients benefit from the latest in interoperability and security.” — LMS Developer at Raccoon Gang.
How Raccoon Gang Can Help You with LTI
As an official Open edX partner, Raccoon Gang uses LTI to integrate Open edX with a wide array of third-party tools and external systems.
We help our customers create truly seamless learning workflows. Whether you need to incorporate an external application into Open edX or connect Open edX content into another platform, our implementation of LTI tools makes the process smooth and secure.
Common LTI integrations we implement in Open edX include:
- live virtual classrooms (e.g. Zoom),
- plagiarism detection and grading tools (e.g. Turnitin),
- interactive content platforms (such as H5P or simulation tools),
- collaboration and discussion tools (e.g. Piazza forums), and
- productivity suites (e.g. OneNote class notebooks)
“We make sure the LTI module is installed and enabled on your Open edX instance. Then we test the launch to verify that learners can access the tool without issues.” — Open edX Integration Engineer at Raccoon Gang.
Case study: HarvardX Adaptivity Bridge — showcasing how LTI integration enhances adaptive learning.
Business Case: The HarvardX Adaptivity Project
One powerful use case of LTI is adaptive learning. In one project, the Adaptivity Bridge optimized an assessment experiment by connecting adaptive tools directly through LTI. This setup allowed learners to follow personalized learning paths inside the LMS, which led to higher engagement and improved outcomes.
The project showed how LTI-driven adaptivity can transform education. Instead of one-size-fits-all courses, learners received content that matched their pace and needs.
“The experience of working with Raccoon Gang was really exceptional and we would love to continue to work with the team for further HarvardX functionality.” — Yigal Rosen, Senior Research Scientist, Harvard University.
Conclusion
Learning Tools Interoperability has become a cornerstone of modern e-learning. It creates a connected environment where:
- Instructors can add the best tools directly into their courses
- Students enjoy a one-stop learning experience without switching platforms
- Organizations avoid costly custom integrations for each new feature
For organizations using Open edX, LTI integration is a clear advantage. With Raccoon Gang’s experience as an official Open edX partner, connecting external tools or sharing Open edX content with other LMSs becomes a straightforward process.
Interoperability also supports trendy approaches like microlearning, where learners engage with short, targeted content. Learn more about how microlearning shapes today’s learning strategies.
The takeaway: LTI LMS is the foundation of your learning ecosystem. In this guide, we have explored how LTI works and its benefits – from streamlining user experiences to unlocking a universe of third-party content and tools.
