External tool - main entry

The external tool activity enables students to interact with learning resources and activities on other web sites using LTI (Learning Tools Interoperability).

1. Plan  |  2. Build  |  3. Test  ||  Support 
external tool iconExternal tool activities differ from URL resources in a few ways.

  • External tools are context aware (ie they have access to information about the user who launched the tool, such as institution, topic and name).
  • External tools support reading, updating, and deleting grades associated with the activity instance.
  • External tool configurations create a trust relationship between your site and the tool provider, allowing secure communication between them.

 

1. Plan

Decide what external tool you want to use from the University-wide pre-approved list:

To create an external tool not listed above, please contact your eLearning support team before you sign up for a product. External tool requests are not automatically added. Requests are reviewed and assessed on a case-by-case basis.

 

2. Build

You have planned what external tool to use, now follow these steps to set it up in your topic.

    1. Turn editing on using the green button which is available on the topic homepage (top left of screen) 
      Turn editing on button
    2. Go to the module where you would like the external tool to appear

    3. Click the Add an activity or resource link at the bottom of the module
      Add an activity or resource link
    4. Select External tool from the Activities tab
      External tool
    5. Give the tool a name in the Activity name section

    6. Select the tool required  from the Preconfigured tool list
      Select preconfigured tool

      Timeline block: Using the 'Expect completed on' date in the Activity completion setting will show a date to students in the Timeline block.
    7. Click Save and display

     

    3. Test

    Check the recently added external tool to make sure it is working as expected.

     

    Training and support

    Troubleshooting

    Support

    Please contact your eLearning support team

    You may have one of the following issues:

    » How-to glossary