4.21.4. Options for LTI Authentication and User Provisioning

When you use your Open edX system as an LTI tool provider, data is collected by the Open edX system for all learner activity. Each learner has a user account on the Open edX system that is linked to the user account on the tool consumer system, so that activity, grades, and state can be passed from one system to the other.

The Open edX system supports these user authentication flows for LTI.

4.21.4.1. Anonymous User Authentication

The first time a learner encounters an Open edX resource in a course, the Open edX content is immediately launched by a POST to the URL. Without requiring any action from the learner, the Open edX system creates a user account and provisions it with a system-generated username, and links it to the tool consumer user account for that learner. Learners never interact with the Open edX system directly.

This authentication flow presents a virtually seamless experience that significantly reduces user error. The Open edX system passes learner data to the tool consumer with no subsequent reconciliation of data between the systems.

After you configure your edX instance as an LTI tool provider, no further configuration is needed on your Open edX system for this user authentication flow.

4.21.4.2. Open edX User Authentication

The first time a learner encounters an Open edX resource in a course, he is prompted to either sign in with existing credentials or create a user account. The Open edX system creates a user account and provisions it with the supplied values, and links it to the tool consumer user account for that learner. The POST to the URL then delivers the Open edX resource in the tool consumer. After the initial sign in or account creation step, learners do not interact with the Open edX system directly.

In this authentication flow, learners knowingly establish or use credentials on the Open edX system. This flow provides a smooth learner experience that can also satisfy legal requirements or privacy concerns.

After you configure your edX instance as an LTI tool provider, you can configure Open edX user authentication between your Open edX system and the tool consumer.