VitalSource Now Compliant with Education Tech Interop Standard

  • By Dian Schaffhauser
  • 05/22/12

A company with an e-textbook platform for delivering digital textbooks to students has been certified as conforming to IMS Global Learning Consortium's Learning Tools Interoperability (LTI) v1.1 standards. VitalSource, which offers Bookshelf, already has integration with Blackboard Learn and Pearson Learning Studio. Compliance with LTI will make integration with other education applications simpler for schools and colleges.

The basic idea of LTI is to provide a set of standards for integrating learning applications and service with platforms such as learning management systems (LMSs), portals, and other educational environments. That simplifies the development work for organizations delivering those products; it also prevents users from having to log in for each application being accessed; instructors can have grades pass among applications; and LMS administrators don't have to install custom extensions or plug-ins for every new application added to a learning platform.

"LTI v1.1 is a major step forward for students, faculty, and administrators because it sets up a path for usage and progress data to be transferred from the e-textbook application," said Rob Abel, chief executive of IMS. "This makes e-books a much more appealing option in education, and it is great having VitalSource take a major leadership role in making this a reality across the industry."

VitalSource, which is owned by book distributor Ingram, said its platform is in use at 6,000 campuses worldwide.

About the Author

Dian Schaffhauser is a former senior contributing editor for 1105 Media's education publications THE Journal, Campus Technology and Spaces4Learning.

Featured

  • three silhouetted education technology leaders with thought bubbles containing AI-related icons

    Ed Tech Leaders Rank Generative AI as Top Tech Priority

    In a recent CoSN survey, an overwhelming majority of ed tech leaders (94%) said they see AI as having a positive impact on education. Respondents ranked generative AI as their top tech priority, with 80% reporting their districts have gen AI initiatives underway, or plan to in the current school year.

  • computer monitor with a bold AI search bar on the screen

    Google Rolls Out AI Mode in Search

    About a year after introducing AI Overviews for its flagship search offering, Google has announced broad availability of AI Mode in Search.

  • glowing shield hovers above a digital cloud platform with abstract data streams and cloud icons in the background

    Google to Acquire Cloud Security Firm Wiz in $32 Billion Deal

    Google has announced it will acquire cloud security startup Wiz for $32 billion. If completed, the acquisition — an all-cash deal — would mark the largest in Google's history.

  • students using digital devices, surrounded by abstract AI motifs and soft geometric design

    Ed Tech Startup Kira Launches AI-Native Learning Platform

    A new K-12 learning platform aims to bring personalized education to every student. Kira, one of the latest ed tech ventures from Andrew Ng, former director of Stanford's AI Lab and co-founder of Coursera and DeepLearning.AI, "integrates artificial intelligence directly into every educational workflow — from lesson planning and instruction to grading, intervention, and reporting," according to a news announcement.