Learning Environment Connector Developer Guide - Overview

What is a Learning Environment Integration?

The Blackboard Learning Environment Integration feature allows another Learning Management System to co-exist and run within the Blackboard Learn. This integration is enabled by the Learning Environment Connector that provides the communication protocols between Blackboard and the integrated system. Similar to Building Blocks, the Learning Environment Connector provides specific "extension points" for interactions between Blackboard and the integrated system, such as authenticating a session or creating a URL for redirection into an online course.

Benefits of integrating with Blackboard Learn

Single Signon

Users only have to log in to a single application, which provides access across Blackboard and other integrated systems.

The following scenarios are supported by the Learning Environment Connector:

User authorization continues to be managed by the Learning Management System
User authorization is handled by the Blackboard Learn

Course Information Displayed in One Place

Course and enrollment data is synchronized between Blackboard and the integrated LMS so users can see all of their online courses on a single page. The Learning Environment Connector has interfaces to populate other kinds of portal data, such as announcements or grade data.

Content System

Instructional Designers can use Blackboard Content System files within their LMS courses.

Outcomes System

Outcomes instruments can be deployed to courses in integrated systems.

Terminology

Term	Definition
LEC	Learning Environment Connector
LMS	Learning Management System
AS	Academic Suite
Integration	A deployed instance of a Learning Environment Connector pointing to an LMS

How does it fit together?

Legend

Learning Environment Connector

Implemented by the third-party developer. This is a Building Block deployed on the Blackboard server which implements several Java interfaces. This accesses the remote LMS data using a communications protocol supported by the remote LMS (e.g. SOAP, RMI, JDBC, etc.).

Integration Gateway Building Block

Provided by Blackboard. This implements a data integration API for the Blackboard system and is used by the LMS to notify AS when administrative events occur relating to user/course/enrollment objects. The API is implemented via HTTP Posts to submit IMS Enterprise XML to Blackboard Learn.

Web UI

Provided by Blackboard. This provides specific URLs that the LMS can redirect a user to. Examples include:

Redirect the user to the Blackboard Learn login page
Perform a single-signon into Blackboard Learn for a user who has already been authenticated by the LMS