ibl.ai (an AI-driven tutor/agent platform) connects to Open edX using the LTI 1.3 Advantage standard. Open edX (Sumac release and later) is fully LTI Advantage certified, meaning it supports the core LTI 1.3 launch flow and the three Advantage services (Deep Linking, Assignments/Grades, Names & Roles). In practice, an instructor adds a LTI component (an XBlock) in Studio and configures it with ibl.ai’s tool endpoints. Students then click the ibl.ai link to launch the tool with single-sign-on, and data flows (user identity, context, scores, roster, etc.) are exchanged securely. The result is a seamless experience: ibl.ai content appears as part of the Open edX course, students never have to log in again, and instructor-configured content and scores are synced automatically.
Configuration: In Studio’s Course Outline, the instructor adds an LTI Component (XBlock) and sets “LTI Version = 1.3”. They enter ibl.ai’s Tool Launch URL (redirect URL) and OIDC Login URL (login endpoint), as provided by ibl.ai. They also paste ibl.ai’s public key into the settings; this lets Open edX verify the signature on incoming LTI messages. (Studio then displays generated values – Client ID, Deployment ID, Keyset URL, etc. – which are copied into ibl.ai’s tool configuration.)
OIDC Launch Flow: When a user clicks the ibl.ai link, Open edX initiates the LTI 1.3 launch using an OpenID Connect handshake. The platform (LMS) sends an authentication request to ibl.ai’s OIDC login URL. ibl.ai validates the request and responds with a signed ID Token (JWT) containing the launch parameters. This JWT includes claims for the user’s identity, role (Instructor or Learner), course context, resource link ID, and any custom parameters. Open edX verifies the JWT signature with the public key, establishes the user’s identity, and opens the ibl.ai interface.
Security and Data: By using OIDC and signed JWTs, the launch is secure. The JWT payload transports user and course information without extra login prompts. Because ibl.ai trusts the JWT signature, it knows exactly which student or instructor has launched it, and under which course and unit. (Open edX’s LTI component explicitly calls out that the Tool Public Key is required to “check if the messages and launch requests received have the signature from the tool”.)
Deep Linking (Content Selection)
Enable Deep Linking: In the LTI component settings, the instructor toggles Deep Linking to True and enters ibl.ai’s Deep Link Launch URL (often the same as the normal launch URL).
Configure in Studio: The LTI block in Studio now shows a “Configure tool link” button. Clicking this sends the instructor to ibl.ai’s deep-link interface.
Select Content: Within ibl.ai, the instructor picks or creates the desired content (for example, an AI-generated quiz, study guide, or interactive tutorial). Once they finish, ibl.ai returns a configured resource link to Open edX.
Result in Course: Studio inserts the selected ibl.ai content as an LTI resource in the course. Students will see this new activity in the unit. When launched, it goes directly into that specific ibl.ai content (instead of a blank tool), thanks to the deep-link configuration.
Names & Roles Provisioning (Roster Sync)
Enable NRPS: In the same LTI component settings, enable LTI Names and Roles Provisioning (NRPS).
Roster Retrieval: With NRPS on, ibl.ai can call the LTI Names and Role Provisioning service endpoint. This returns the course roster of enrolled users. For each user, ibl.ai gets limited profile details (full name, email, username) and their role and enrollment status.
Use Cases: Having the roster allows ibl.ai to personalize interactions (e.g. addressing students by name) and to manage permissions (e.g. know which learners should have access to the course’s ibl.ai). It also lets ibl.ai verify which students are active in the course. (Note: By default Open edX only returns NRPS data for courses with up to 1000 users for performance; an administrator can raise this limit if needed.)
Assignment and Grade Services (Score Return)
Enable AGS: In the LTI component, set the LTI Assignment and Grades Service mode (e.g. Programmatic for multiple grades).
Passing Grades: When students complete tasks or quizzes in ibl.ai, the tool can use the LTI Assignments & Grades (AGS) API to post scores back to Open edX. For example, ibl.ai could submit a numerical score or percentage via LTI’s grade return calls.
Gradebook Integration: Returned scores automatically populate the Open edX gradebook under the LTI component’s entry. Instructors see the ibl.ai results alongside other assignments.
Standards-Compliant: Because Open edX is LTI-Advantage certified, this grade passback works reliably. (Alternatively, a deep custom integration could use Open edX’s own grading APIs, but LTI AGS is the standard method.)
Embedding ibl.ai in Courses
LTI Consumer XBlock: The integration uses Open edX’s built-in LTI Consumer XBlock. This XBlock “implements the consumer side of the LTI specification enabling integration of third-party LTI tools”.
Course Authoring: Instructors simply add the LTI XBlock to a unit (just like adding a problem or video). Once configured, it appears in the course outline. Students click it to launch ibl.ai.
Studio View: Instructors see the LTI block’s settings and can edit or reconfigure it. Deep-linked content appears as links (with the title from ibl.ai). The Studio interface lets them manage all ibl.ai LTI blocks without coding.
No Extra Plugins Needed: No special client-side app is required; the LTI XBlock handles everything. (If desired, an advanced team could build a custom ibl.ai XBlock, but it is not needed since the standard LTI workflow suffices.)
Streamlined User Experience
Single Sign-On: Students and instructors experience one-click access. Clicking a ibl.ai activity logs them in automatically via the LTI handshake (no separate username/password).
Role-Specific UI: ibl.ai knows the user’s role from the launch data. Instructors get access to course management and content-creation features, while students see the personalized agent/tutor interface. The tool can even tailor questions or hints based on the user’s identity and course progress.
Instructor Workflow: Instructors set up ibl.ai content through Studio (deep linking or parameters), then ibl.ai appears as part of the normal course flow. There is no need for manual roster exports or score entry, as those sync automatically.
Scores and Feedback: Any grades or feedback from ibl.ai flow back to the LMS gradebook in real time, so instructors can monitor student performance in one place. Students see their ibl.ai quiz scores right in Open edX as well, completing the feedback loop.
Want to know how your institution can become AI-driven by utilizing the ibl.ai platform on Open edX? Learn more at ibl.ai