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Forage LMS Integration: Guide for Educators

Emily Svrcek (Sentz)
Updated

Introduction

Forage’s LMS integration enables institutions to seamlessly embed Forage virtual job simulations directly within their Learning Management System (LMS).
 
Through LTI 1.3 integration, educators can add Forage simulations into their courses as graded or ungraded activities, allowing students to access simulations without leaving their LMS environment.
 
This guide provides:    
  • An overview of the benefits of LMS integration
  • General steps required to enable LTI integration
  • Step-by-step instructions specific to Canvas (LTI 1.3)
This guide currently covers Canvas integration. Instructions for additional LMS platforms (e.g., Blackboard, Moodle, D2L) will be added in future versions.
 
 
Why Integrate Forage with Your LMS?
 
Integrating Forage into your LMS provides value across students, educators, and administrators.

Benefits for Students

  • Seamless access within LMS, with no additional navigation required
  • Single sign-on (SSO) experience from your LMS
  • Clear assignment placement within course modules
  • Grades (if enabled) synced directly to the LMS gradebook

Benefits for Educators

  • Embed simulations directly into existing course structure
  • Track participation and completion within your LMS
  • Optional grade passback to LMS gradebook
  • Maintain a centralized learning environment

Benefits for Institutions

  • Secure LTI 1.3 integration aligned with LMS standards
  • No manual data transfers
  • Controlled deployment at the account or course level
  • Scalable across departments and programs

 

How LMS Integration Works

Forage uses LTI 1.3 Advantage to integrate with your LMS.

At a high level:

  1. Your LMS administrator registers Forage as an external tool (LTI 1.3 app).
  2. Secure credentials are exchanged between your LMS and Forage.
  3. Educators add Forage as an external tool within their course.
  4. Students launch the activity directly inside your LMS.
  5. Completion data (optional) can be passed back to the your LMS gradebook.

 

Roles and Responsibilities

Institution IT / LMS Administrator

  • Configures LTI 1.3 Developer Key in Canvas
  • Installs Forage as an external tool
  • Enables grade passback (if required)

Educator / Course Owner

  • Adds Forage to course modules
  • Selects the appropriate simulation
  • Configures grading settings (optional)

Forage Team

  • Provides required LTI credentials
  • Supports testing and validation

  • Assists with troubleshooting

     

General Steps to Set Up an LTI Integration

While each LMS differs slightly, the general process is consistent:

  1. In the Forage for Educators app, generate a Registration URL
  2. In your LMS, register the tool with the Registration URL via Dynamic Registration of LTI 1.3
    • Enable Required LTI Services
      • Names and Roles Provisioning Service
      • Assignment & Grade Services (if using grade passback)
  3. Enable the tool at the account or course level
  4. Add to Course
    • Instructor selects the tool from “External Tool” when adding an assignment
  5. Test Launch
    • Confirm successful SSO and simulation access

 

Optional: Grade Passback Configuration

If your institution would like completion quiz scores automatically sent to your LMS:

  • Ensure Assignment & Grade Services is enabled during setup.
  • Set assignment to “External Tool” and allow grade passback.
  • Confirm grading schema (e.g., complete/incomplete or points-based).

 

Support & Troubleshooting

If you encounter issues during setup:

Common troubleshooting areas:

  • Incorrect redirect URL
  • LTI service permissions not enabled
  • Deployment not installed at correct account level
  • Grade service not enabled

For support, please contact: fg_forage-support@eab.com

Include:

  • LMS type and version
  • Screenshot of configuration
  • Error message (if any)
  • Course ID (if applicable)

                                     

 

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