The external tool activity module enables students to interact with learning resources and activities on other web sites. For example, an external tool could provide access to a new activity type or learning materials from a publisher.
To create an external tool activity, a tool provider which supports LTI (Learning Tools Interoperability) is required. A teacher can create an external tool activity or make use of a tool configured by the site administrator.
External tool activities differ from URL resources in a few ways:
- External tools are context aware i.e. they have access to information about the user who launched the tool, such as institution, course and name
- External tools support reading, updating, and deleting grades associated with the activity instance
- External tool configurations create a trust relationship between your site and the tool provider, allowing secure communication between them
Step 1. Login and enter into the relevant course
Step 2. Click the Course Administration (cog icon) on the right-hand-side
Step 3. Select Turn editing on
Step 4. Select “Add an activity or resource” from the relevant section
Step 5. Select “External Tool” from the pop-up box.
Step 6. Select “Add”
Step 7. This is a required field for you to enter the name of the external tool in the Activity name textbox.
Step 8. Enter any other relevant information that is relevant to the External tool in the General section.
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Options |
Description |
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Activity description |
Enter a relevant description in the “Description” text area that describes the activity. This may include:
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Preconfigured tool |
This is automatically configured to be automatic based on the URL tool. If this can not be recognised, enter the URL manually. |
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Tool URL |
This is the URL of a website where information or resources are located |
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Secure tool URL |
Similar to Tool URL but is secured if accessing through SSL enabled websites requiring https |
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Launch container |
Five options are available on how to display content once this tool is launched:
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Consumer key |
Used if non pre-configured tools used.The Consumer key must be provided by the tool provider. |
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Shared secret |
Used to authenticate access to a tool and is used in association with the consumer key. |
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Custom parameters |
These are setting used by the tool provider. An example may be: name=’server 3’ |
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Icon URL |
The icon displays along with the course listing for an activity. This icon can convey the type of activity being referred. |
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Secure icon URL |
Similar to Icon URL but is secured if accessing through SSL enabled websites requiring https |
Step 9. Privacy setup.
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Options |
Description |
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Share launcher’s name with the tool |
Share the name of the tool user to the tool provider |
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Share launcher’s email with the tool |
Share the email of the tool user to the tool provider |
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Accepts grades from the tool |
Specify whether grades can be added, deleted, modified through the tool provider. |
Step 10. Grade Setup.
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Grade |
When teachers grade an assignment is possible to use either a grading scale, a grade point (numerical scale) or neither. Depending on which option is used, will either enable or disable other fields. If using Point type, the maximum grade is a numeric value between 0 and 250 |
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Grade category |
Only Uncategorised is available |
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Grade to pass |
This allows teachers to set the minimum grade required to pass and will be indicated by green for pass and red for fail. |
Step 11. The Common module settings
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Options |
Description |
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Availability |
The availability option permits students to view and access assignments and resources |
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ID number |
The ID number can be entered to reference the same ID number from a third party package especially gradebook |
Step 12. Restrict access settings
Teachers may restrict students from accessing assignments and resources based upon a set of conditions. These conditions may be based on whether an activity has been completed or not, date restrictions when assignments can commence, a specified grade to be achieved, a certain user profile or a set of nested restrictions based on the above settings.
https://support.ecreators.com.au/hc/en-us/articles/360000490215-How-to-setup-Restrict-Access
Step 13. Activity completion setup
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Options |
Description |
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Completion tracking |
There are three options available: Do not indicate activity completion Students can manually mark the activity as completed Show activity as complete when conditions are met |
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Require view |
Enable this option if you require students to view an activity to complete it |
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Require grade |
Two options that can be enabled: A student must receive a grade to complete this activity A student must submit to this activity to complete it |
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Expect completed on |
If date and time restrictions are placed to submit assignments, then select the Enable field. |
Step 14. Tags Setup
Tags will allow students and teachers to connect to other courses and content being offered.
Step 15. Competencies Setup
Competencies will not be available unless they have been set up at a course level. Administrators can set up competency frameworks and add competencies within the framework. Teachers can also add competencies to courses and course activities.
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Options |
Description |
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Course competencies |
Course competencies allows you to search for competencies that you’d like to link to this activity. |
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Upon activity completion |
There are four options to select once an assignment has been completed. Do nothing, attached evidence, send for review or complete the competency. |
Step 16. Click Save and return to course.
