Learning Tools Interoperability (LTI) version 1.3 is a modern education technology standard that enables secure, seamless connections between a learning management system (LMS) and external learning tools or services.
Schoolbox supports LTI 1.3 to allow schools to integrate a wide range of third-party tools (content providers, assessment platforms, productivity services) directly inside the LMS.
Set up LTI 1.3 Integration in Schoolbox and Microsoft (as a Superuser)
Are you sure you want to remove this component?
You can, as a Superuser, integrate Microsoft tools like Teams Assignments into Schoolbox using LTI 1.3.
To set up LTI 1.3 Integration in Schoolbox:
Go to Administration > LMS > LTI Tools. This opens the LTI Tools page for you.
In LTI Tools, select the ‘+’ icon to add an LTI tool. You’ll now create a new component for the Microsoft service you want to connect to.
In LTI Tool Identity, in Name, enter a clear, descriptive name. For example, ‘Microsoft LTI 1.3’ or ‘MS Collaborative Docs’. This will help teachers and Admins know exactly what the tool is used for.
Next, in Version, select 1.3 from the drop-down list. LTI 1.3 is the version required for current Microsoft integrations.
This opens a setup screen where you’ll need to fill in details from your LTI tool. Notes:
To complete this step, you will need to simultaneously register the application in the Microsoft LTI Portal.
Create a new app registration
Copy the required values into Schoolbox
Label the app clearly so it matches what you're setting up in Schoolbox.
These values must match the details from the Microsoft LTI app you’ve already registered in the Microsoft Developer Portal.
In Tool Configuration, copy the details from your LTI tool into each field as follows: Note: These fields are dependent on the services you choose to use.
Schoolbox Field
Notes
Microsoft Field
OpenID Connect Initiation URL
Open ID connection URL
Launch URL
Target link URL
Deep Linking URL
Configuration for “Picker” option - See available options here.
OpenID Connect Initiation URL - is the web address used to start the secure login process between Schoolbox and the Microsoft tool. It instructs the LMS on how to initiate authentication with Microsoft's identity system.
Launch URL - is the web address that Schoolbox uses to open and run the Microsoft tool inside a course. It instructs the LMS on where to direct users when they access the tool from within Schoolbox.
Deep Linking URL - this will usually be the same as the launch URL. It is the address used to insert specific content or tools from the Microsoft app directly into a course. It allows users to select and embed items such as assignments or files without leaving Schoolbox.
JSON Web Key Set URL- is the web address where the Microsoft tool shares its public security keys. Schoolbox uses these keys to verify that messages from the tool are safe and authentic.
Public Key - is the security code shared by the Microsoft tool that Schoolbox uses to verify its identity. It helps ensure that data sent between Schoolbox and the tool is safe and hasn't been tampered with.
Additional Redirect URL(s) (Optional) - are extra web addresses that the Microsoft tool can safely redirect users to after login or content selection. They ensure the user is directed to the correct location within Schoolbox during the LTI launch process. Select Add Redirect URL to add this.
Next, in Schoolbox Instance Details, copy these read-only details into your LTI tool's configuration.
Schoolbox Field
Notes
Microsoft Field
Issuer
Issuer ID URL
Open Connect Authentication URL
Platform authentication URL
oAuth Access Token URL
Access token URL
JSON Web Key Set URL
Keyset URL
Client/Deployment ID
Generated once saved in Schoolbox
Client ID
Within Schoolbox, select Create Tool. This creates the LTI 1.3 tool and generates the Client/Deployment ID. Take this value and populate the Client ID in your Microsoft LTI tool registration.
Select Save and Exit.
9. Provide Consent within Microsoft - Following the configuration of the LTI tool, the Microsoft system administrator will need to visit: https://m365lti.edu.cloud.microsoft/consent and provide consent for the tool's usage.
10. Authorise and setup available tools within Schoolbox - Before using Microsoft 365 LTI within Schoolbox, as a the Microsoft system admin you must complete the Microsoft 365 LTI® First-Time Configuration. This process must be completed by the Microsoft system admin from Schoolbox. To successfully complete this, the Microsoft System admin, should follow the below steps:
a. Ensure there Schoolbox email or Schoolbox Alternate Email address is set to be the same as the Microsoft System admin email. b. Within Schoolbox, navigate to any page, select the "+" to add a new component, choose "Embed Learning Tool". c. Once the "Embed Learning Tool" component is on the page, Select the "Basic Launch" option for the Microsoft LTI configuration that you set up earlier. d. The system admin will then be presented with the Microsoft 365 LTI® First-Time Configuration process. Here they will complete the final authentication and set the default and available tools for the integration.
Once complete, the Microsoft LTI will be available to use throughout Schoolbox.
You’ve now successfully set up the LTI 1.3 Integration in Schoolbox and Microsoft.
Teams-less and Creating Teams via the Microsoft LTI Integration:
This integration uses a Teamsless approach. This approach leverages the Schoolbox class enrolments to sync with Microsoft to handle student registration automatically, without needing to add students to a Team manually or through another internal process. The integration works even if no Class Team exists and is designed for the Microsoft tools to be accessed via Schoolbox, eliminating much of the need for access via the traditional Teams application.
Microsoft does provide the ability for Teachers to use the Schoolbox / Microsoft integration to create Class Teams. This is an Administration choice, more information about this can be found here: Microsoft 365 LTI® First-Time Configuration.
To prevent a Team from being created automatically, a Microsoft administrator must visit a class page or homepage, add the Microsoft LTI tool to the page, and complete the initial setup.
In Microsoft Teams creation, ensure that 'Teachers can create teams' and 'Automatically create a team for the course' are both disabled:
If 'Automatically create a team' for the course has been enabled, school staff who visit the page will be automatically added as Team owners.
Microsoft Launch Options and Deep-linking to specific tools:
Microsoft provides several launch and deep-linking URLs that you can create as separate tools for specific use cases.
Collaborative Documents - Homepage Component: School staff or students can create a collaborative document that everyone in the course can work on. They can start with a blank file or use an existing one.
Embed or link file from OneDrive - Homepage Component: School staff can link or embed a OneDrive file in a course. All students and teachers in the class can view the file, but it is read-only.