This document will describe how users will be able to add Unitu onto BlackBoard through an LTI integration (Learning Tools Interoperability). More information about LTI can be found here: https://www.imsglobal.org/activity/learning-tools-interoperability
We will be using LTI version 1.
End Result
BlackBoard Coursesites
What is it?
BlackBoard Coursesites is a demo version of BlackBoard that is available for everyone to use and experiment with. You can test new features and try out new things.
Why are we using it?
We want to provide you with a step-by-step documentation on how to perform an LTI integration with Unitu on BlackBoard. We believe BlackBoard Coursesites would enable us to do just that without the overhead of setting up a new account and registering on BlackBoard
What is the difference between my BlackBoard and BlackBoard Coursesites?
The difference will vary upon each customer, however, these differences should only be in appearance and not functionality. Therefore, this documentation should apply to all versions of BlackBoard implemented with any configuration or style.
Benefits of integrating Unitu within BlackBoard
Increases Unitu’s Visibility
We believe that making Unitu visible on BlackBoard and especially showing the tool within their modules will greatly increase engagement with the platform. This will also re-assure the students that the university is serious about student feedback as it would seem like the university is encouraging student feedback (which is in fact what we want).
Convenience for the students
Making the platform readily available on BlackBoard and easily accessible from their course page, we believe, greatly encourage students to provide feedback relevant to their course. Which will result in more relevant engagement on the Unitu platform.
Moreover, students will not need to log in again which will simplify the whole process of providing feedback – again increasing the engagement with the platform.
Security of the integration
SSL/HTTPS
Unitu uses HTTPS and has a COMODO RSA Domain Validation Secure Server CA authorised certificate. This means that all the data either being sent or received through the site is secure.
Unitu’s Authentication
We authenticate users only via their email when they access our site via a valid LTI connection. Therefore users will only have to be authenticated on BlackBoard and so our authentication security is heavily reliant on BlackBoard’s authentication system.
Video for Integration
Video available on Unitu’s YouTube page
Method for Integration
Setting up Unitu as an external tool in Blackboard
- Login as a course tutor
- In the “Course Content” section, hover your mouse over any horizontal line
- Click on the “plus” button:
- Click on “Create”:
- Under “Course Content Items” select “Teaching Tools with LTI connection”
- Scroll over the heading on the top of the right menu and click on the edit button
- Change the Title to “Unitu | The Student Voice Platform”
- Select “Visible to Students”
- Inside the “LTI link details” section, input the following:
- url: <https://{uni domain}.unitu.co.uk/lti>
- After inputting the url, you should see two new sections appear
- Input the following into each
Key: <provided by us>
Security Token: <provided by us> - Make sure “Open in a new window” is enabled
- Inside the “Description” section, input the following: <User’s choice>
[suggested: “Unitu, your student voice platform”] - Click “Save”
Common Error Troubleshooting
User not found:
The main reason for this error is that the user has not been registered on Unitu yet. Which means you will need to contact the Unitu Support team and make sure that your account has been created with the same email as the one you are trying to gain access with. This would usually be the email address you used to log in onto Blackboard.
Incorrect LTI details:
Please make sure that the LTI configurations that you have inputted are valid and verified.
These are URL, Key, and Security Token
Try re-entering the details, sometimes it is best to remove and re-integrate the Unitu tool using the steps above. If this issue persists, please contact Unitu Support, and someone will be able to help you out.
User is disabled:
The user has been disabled on Unitu, please contact our Unitu Support team to know why and how they can be re-enabled.
