Can this tool share database data?

LTI is a specification from 1EdTech (formerly IMS Global) which enables a user to follow a link from a platform (such as a VLE) to a tool in a secure and seamless manner. There are no services defined in the specification which allow the platform to access content within the tool – the normal use case is that the user interacts with the content on the tool’s site. The LTI connection merely passes across sufficient data to allow a tool to establish a user’s session on-the-fly. All the services currently defined with the LTI specifications are for tools to make requests to platforms; e.g. to obtain a list of course enrolments, or to send a grade to the platform’s gradebook.

HTH.

Thanks for the super fast reply!

So if I understand correctly, I could

– have VLE users access my WordPress (LD) training via a link, using their VLE credentials and therewith bypassing the WordPress/LD registration/login
– have the VLE request a list of users that have started and/or completed the training

Is this correct? I’m sorry if this sounds a bit simplistic, I’m completely new to the various LMS specifications and possibilities.

The tool’s description speaks of ‘multisite’ versions of WordPress, is multisite a requirement?

TIA

Not quite. There are no LTI services defined for platforms (VLEs). The best you could do with LTI is to update the gradebook entry for the user when they start or complete the training (but this is not supported by the LTI Tool plugin itself – see below). You can however, allow users to follow a link within their VLE course to access WordPress without the need for them to be pre-registered – an account is dynamically created for them on-the-fly.

If you want to do more than just provide the connection between the two systems and, for example, return a grade to the platform, then you should look at the Pressbooks plugin (https://www.ads-software.com/plugins/pressbooks-lti-tool/) which extends the LTI Tool plugin to provide similar additional features.

The latest version of this plugin does not require multisite – where did you read this, perhaps it needs updating?

‘Mutisite’ is mentioned on this page: https://www.spvsoftwareproducts.com/php/wordpress-lti/

Thanks again for your reply, very much appreciated.

So I could indeed have them access the WordPress training, but I can only have WordPress (well, the plugin) send a grade as part of that same session, is that how I should see it?

If yes, that could be all I need. I will have a look at the pressbooks plugin in the meantime.

So I could indeed have them access the WordPress training, but I can only have WordPress (well, the plugin) send a grade as part of that same session, is that how I should see it?

Yes, they can access content within your WordPress instance. LTI supports the passing back of a grade but the LTI Tool does not include this functionality as it would be specific to a use case. The Pressbooks extension shows that this is possible (grades are returning for completed H5P items); a similar extension could be written for LearnDash.

Again, many thanks, I have no further questions. The plugin might well turn out to be very valuable for us.

Great. Contact me if you need any help building an extension for LearnDash.