Key Takeaways
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LTI 1.3 replaces LTI 1.1's older authentication model with modern security standards that better protect institutions, educators, and learners.
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LTI 1.3 makes educational tools work better together by improving on how tools exchange grades, access class rosters, manage assignments, and share content, creating a smoother experience for everyone.
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Now is the time to migrate. LTI 1.3 is the current 1EdTech standard, and with expanded implementation resources, moving from LTI 1.1 is easier than ever.
If you've worked with educational technology, you've probably heard of Learning Tools Interoperability (LTI). Today, LTI 1.3 is the current standard, but many institutions and suppliers still use LTI 1.1, even though it hasn’t been supported by 1EdTech for years.
Why? If LTI 1.3 is better and more secure, why hasn't everyone moved?
The answer is simple: technology transitions take time. Many suppliers are already 1EdTech Certified for LTI 1.3 while continuing to support LTI 1.1 because their customers still rely on it or because they are supporting a mix of learning platforms.
So what's the difference, and why is it so important to prioritize the switch? Think of it like entering a school building.
LTI 1.1: The Front Door
LTI 1.1 solved a major problem by giving learning tools a standard way to enter an LMS. Instead of building a custom integration for every platform, each tool could walk through the same front door.
To get inside, though, everyone relied on the same shared key, a secret password exchanged between the LMS and the tool. It worked, but managing thousands of shared secrets became increasingly difficult as the ecosystem grew, and the more people with the secret, the more complicated and less secure it became.
LTI 1.3: A Secure ID Badge
LTI 1.3 replaces the shared key with a secure digital ID badge for each tool. Instead of gaining access with a shared password, systems use modern authentication standards to verify who they are and what they're allowed to do.
Once inside, just as with LTI 1.1, that secure identity can also unlock standardized services that make it easier to:
- Exchange grades with the LMS
- Access class rosters
- Create and manage assignments
- Add content directly into courses
- Work consistently across platforms
Instead of every school handing out different hall passes, everyone follows the same rules.
With LTI 1.3, we’ve been able to improve on these services:
- Faster implementation with simplified setup and configuration.
- Smarter assignment workflows that support accessibility, academic integrity, and AI-enabled learning tools.
- Better-connected learning experiences with more seamless integration between educational apps and learning management systems.
Time to Make the Move
While many suppliers continue to support LTI 1.1 to maintain compatibility with existing customers, LTI 1.1 relies on an older security model that is no longer considered a modern best practice. Today's security expectations call for standards like OAuth 2.0 and OpenID Connect, the foundation of LTI 1.3.
That means the question is no longer if organizations should move to LTI 1.3, but when. And the answer is: now.
The good news is that making the transition has never been easier.
To help the education community accelerate adoption, 1EdTech has expanded its implementation resources, including the new build and standards portals. Whether you're replacing an existing LTI 1.1 integration or building something new, these resources can help you implement LTI 1.3 more quickly and with greater confidence.
Institutions are also encouraged to review their current tools and work with providers to ensure that their connections use LTI 1.3.
The future of educational interoperability depends on trust, security, and standards that can evolve with today's technology. LTI 1.3 delivers all three.
About the Author
Jacques Menasche serves as a technical program manager for 1EdTech Consortium, where he leverages his extensive knowledge of education technology, interoperability, and his ability to deftly articulate complex ideas and technologies to all levels of understanding. Jacques has over 12 years of experience in the education technology industry, where he helped lead the charge for interoperability and seamless integrations.
