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Organisations that deliver online exams find that integrating systems can save time, reduce administrative burden, and enhance the user experience. That’s where LTI integration comes in.
LTI is a widely adopted standard that allows different educational tools and platforms to work together effortlessly. In this blog post, we’ll provide a clear overview of what LTI is, how LTI integration works, and the key benefits it offers to organisations using online exam solutions.
What is LTI?
Learning Tools Interoperability (LTI) is a standard developed by the IMS Global Learning Consortium to help different learning platforms, such as an online exam platform, Learning Management System (LMS) and a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), connect and share data securely.
At its core, LTI defines a common way for platforms to exchange information. This might include details such as who the user is, what exam they’re enrolled in, and what permissions they have. Instead of building bespoke integrations for each tool, organisations can use LTI to plug tools into their LMSs quickly and reliably.
Newer versions, for example, LTI 1.3 and LTI Advantage, offer enhanced features such as Single Sign-On (SSO), secure data exchange, and automated grade return.
What is LTI Integration?
LTI integration is the process of using the LTI standard to embed an external tool, such as an online exam platform like Synap, directly within an LMS or VLE. LTI is widely supported by major systems, including Canvas, Moodle, Blackboard and Talent LMS, offering a practical, scalable way to connect systems.
For learners, this means they can take exams without leaving the LMS or logging into a separate system. The result is a smoother, more accessible experience that keeps everything in one place.
For administrators, LTI integration cuts down on manual setup and data handling. It automates key processes, such as enrolment syncing, user identification, and even grade transfer, freeing up valuable time and reducing errors.
The role of LTI in today’s online learning ecosystem
Online education has led to a diverse ecosystem of specialised digital tools each designed for specific aspects of the learning and assessment experience, from delivering training courses to content delivery, assessments and analytics. While each tool offers its own value, their true potential is achieved when they can work together all in one place.
This is where LTI becomes essential - rather than functioning on its own, platforms that support LTI can seamlessly exchange data and communicate with one another. The result is a more connected, efficient, and engaging experience for users, and a streamlined workflow for administrators and educators.
What are the benefits of LTI?
One of the biggest advantages of LTI integrations is that it brings everything into one place, making the learning and assessment experience simpler, more consistent, and easier to manage. Here’s how:
All-in-one access
Learners can complete exams, access course materials, and track progress - all without leaving the LMS. This unified environment helps reduce confusion and keeps everything organised in a single digital space. This keeps learners focused on their tasks, which is especially helpful in high-stakes exam settings where unnecessary distractions can impact performance.
No switching between systems
As LTI allows tools to work natively within the LMS, users don't need to open external software or navigate unfamiliar interfaces. This saves time and means there is no need to jump between systems or remember multiple logins.
Cleaner seamless experience
When a tool like an exam platform is embedded via LTI, it feels like an integrated part of the LMS rather than a bolt-on. There are no jarring transitions or broken user journeys, just a consistent experience from start to finish. This level of polish helps improve engagement and makes digital learning more intuitive.
Simplified setup and maintenance
For admins and educators, LTI significantly reduces the complexity of integrating third-party tools. There's no need for custom development or managing separate systems. Once configured, everything can be managed from the LMS dashboard, making updates and maintenance far more efficient.
Consistent user data and reporting
With LTI, user information and results can pass between systems automatically. This means grades, progress, and engagement data stay within the preferred choice of system, helping educators get a full picture without juggling multiple dashboards.
Improved security and privacy
LTI 1.3 is built with modern security protocols, including OAuth 2.0 and OpenID Connect, helping to ensure user data is shared securely and in compliance with privacy standards. Digitally signed requests and improved authentication flows help to ensure user data is shared securely and in compliance with privacy standards.
A real-world example of LTI in action for online exams
Imagine a professional training provider that uses Moodle as its LMS to deliver courses to corporate clients. As part of their certification programmes, learners are required to complete formal assessments through a secure online exam platform.
Without LTI, learners would need to:
- Leave the LMS.
- Log into the online exam platform separately.
- Navigate an unfamiliar interface to take their exam.
- Return to the LMS to see their results.
This creates friction, increases the chance of user error, and disrupts the learning flow.
With LTI integration, the process looks very different:
- The learner logs into Moodle and opens their course.
- When it’s time for an assessment, the exam platform appears embedded directly within Moodle, as if it’s part of the course.
- The learner takes the exam without needing to log in again or switch platforms.
- Once completed, the exam score is automatically sent back to Moodle’s Gradebook.
For administrators, there’s no need to manually manage user accounts across systems or upload grades. Everything is connected and streamlined.
LTI vs API: What's the difference?
When it comes to integrating learning tools with an LMS, two common methods are LTI (Learning Tools Interoperability) and APIs (Application Programming Interfaces). Both enable systems to communicate and share data but they serve different purposes and are suited to different needs.
LTI Integration: Seamless and standardised
LTI is a standard developed specifically for the education and e-learning sector. It provides a consistent, secure way for a system to launch external tools, such as an online exam platform, directly within the learning environment.
LTI is:
- Designed for education, making it ideal for integrating assessment tools, digital textbooks, or video platforms.
- Embedded within the LMS, offering a seamless experience - no need for separate logins or switching between systems.
- Focused on secure user data sharing, such as roles, course info, and grade return.
Because it’s a standardised approach, LTI is quicker to implement and doesn’t require building a custom connection for each system. It’s ideal when the goal is a simple, streamlined user experience that keeps everything in one place.
API Integration: Powerful but complex
An API is a set of rules and protocols that allows different software systems to talk to each other. Think of it as a digital messenger, it takes a request from one system, tells another what to do, and delivers the response back.
APIs are:
- Flexible and customisable - ideal for building bespoke connections between platforms.
- Used across all industries, not just education.
- Capable of deep data exchange, process automation, and complex workflows.
However, APIs often require significant developer time and expertise, and they can involve ongoing maintenance. They’re great for tailored integrations, but less efficient for simple, plug-and-play scenarios.
In many cases, the two approaches can complement each other: LTI handles the front-end user experience, while APIs work behind the scenes to manage more complex data tasks.
Conclusion
LTI integration streamlines online exams by embedding external tools within LMS’s and VLE’s, improving efficiency for both learners and educators. It simplifies workflows, reduces administrative tasks, and enhances the user experience. For organisations seeking a more cohesive learning experience, LTI offers a practical, secure, and user-friendly solution.
Discover how Synap’s LTI integration can take your online exams to the next level with a tailored demo and 14-day free trial.
References
Teachfloor, 2025. What is LTI Integration?. Available at: https://www.teachfloor.com/elearning-glossary/what-is-lti-integration
