Portal Rostering Methods
Rostering will differ based on the needs of each school. If you cannot integrate with Google Classroom, Clever, Classlink, a LMS, SIS, or other platform, we'll usually start with Option 1, Default Rostering via Bulk Upload.
1. Default Rostering via Bulk Upload (School Admin Bulk Rostering)
- Method: School admin rosters everyone via bulk csv/xls file upload (Classes, teachers, and students). School admin also assign licenses to teachers. See this resource for details on template formats.
- Pros: Establishes student-teacher relationship (via Classes), so teachers can assign homework and tests to students. Students can then take tests and complete homework assignments within our platform.
- Cons: There is the opportunity for errors when rostering, but the bulk of the work is maintaining rosters: adding new students, removing dropped students, and moving students between Classes. The admin on the account usually does this work, but there is a process where teachers can add students and change their Classes. This requires some more support from us on how to do this specifically. We do not recommend this method if more than 500 students are being rostered due to the amount of time/effort to maintain rosters.
2. Access Code Method
- Method: We issue teachers and students access codes (simple & universal, not one code per person). Each user self-registers and uses whatever username and password they wish.
- Pros: Very simple for users to do, no rostering is required, and no Classes need to be defined.
- Cons: No student-teacher relationship established (ie, no "Classes"), so certain features are not available, such as: teachers assigning homework & tests within our platform and teachers communicating with students. Item banks (tests) are still available for export, but cannot be assigned to anyone.
3. Google Classroom Integration
- Method: Once we determine that you meet the requirements for Google Classroom integration and set up the integration on our end, teachers or admins will log in and select classes to sync. Admins will then assign licenses to teachers. Then, students and teachers will be able to access the Lab-Aids portal from within Google Classroom. Class rosters are synced automatically upon teacher login.
- Pros: No manual rostering or maintenance of rosters, since we sync directly from Google Classroom. SSO for students and teachers.
- Cons: Errors can occur with data received via the Google Classroom API.
Google Classroom Integration Guide (we need to set you up before you are able to integrate)
4A. LTI 1.3 Integration: Now available for Canvas and Schoology:
- Method: Lab-Aids provides instructions and LTI credentials. Canvas/Schoology admins will use these to add a new LMS App/Developer Key. This allows students and teachers to access their account and utilize LTI 1.3 deep linking and grade passback.
- Pros: No rostering required. Easy to deploy by large districts. SSO via your LMS. Deep Linking and Grade Passback are now available for LTI 1.3 integrations with Canvas and Schoology.
- Cons: The sync ignores course sections, which means sections within a course will all sync into one large course/class in the Portal. Setup can be detailed and requires active admin participation. In rare cases, user role/type errors can arise.
4B. LTI 1.0 Integration:
- Though we recommend using LTI 1.3 when possible, the Lab-Aids Portal is also LTI 1.0 compliant for various LMSs (learning management systems) including Schoology and Canvas.
- Method: We deliver a set of LTI credentials for you to add as a LTI external tool in your LMS. This allows students and teachers to access their account. We also hand over access codes for users to gain access to their content. Redeeming these access codes is an easy, one-time step, and the access codes are universal and simple to communicate.
- Pros: No rostering required. LTI external tool is simple to add. Easy to deploy by large districts. SSO via your LMS.
- Cons: No Classes established that link students and teachers, so teachers cannot assign homework nor assessments to students via the Portal (however, assessments are available for export). In rare cases, user role/type errors can arise.
- Please see these FAQ pages for more information on LTI 1.0 integration:
5. ClassLink
- Method: We will roster account info via ClassLink Roster Server. SSO via LaunchPad from ClassLink is also available.
- Pros: No manual rostering required and easy to deploy. Ability to limit the sharing of roster data. Easy single sign-on as well.
- Cons: Must be a current user of ClassLink. Class titles must be unique and meaningful for teachers.
Please note: districts should ensure that class titles are unique and meaningful in Classlink. More on this issue here.
More info on Roster Server and LaunchPad from ClassLink.
6. Clever
- Method: We will roster account info via Clever Secure Sync. SSO via Clever is also available.
- Pros: No manual rostering required and easy to deploy. Ability to limit the sharing of roster data. Easy single sign-on as well.
- Cons: Must be a current user of Clever. Some schools/districts may not be eligible due to size. Must have active student licenses. Please contact us to see if your district qualifies.
- When indicating your interest in Clever, please communicate the number of schools and the number of students at your district that will be using the Lab-Aids Portal.