LTI 1.3 for Educators - How to Add Deep Linked Assignments

This article provides step-by-step instructions for educators on creating and integrating Packback assignments within their Learning Management System (LMS) using Deep Linking. Deep Linking allows students to access specific Packback assignments directly from their LMS via dedicated assignment links.

PLEASE NOTE: LTI 1.3 with Deep Linking must already be enabled for your LMS. If the steps below are not working, please check with your campus LMS administrator to make sure it is properly enabled.

For additional resources and other commonly asked questions, please check out our Deep Linking FAQ for Educators.

Supported LMS Platforms:

• Canvas
• D2L Brightspace
• Blackboard
• Moodle
• Schoology

Canvas Setup Instructions

1. Navigate to the Assignments page and click +Assignment
2. Scroll down to the Submission Type box and select External Tool
3. Click Find and then select “Packback”
4. A pop-up will appear on the screen. Select the assignment type, if applicable (Discussion or Writing Assignment)
5. Select an existing assignment. If one has not been created, Click +Create Assignment
6. Enter assignment details if creating a new assignment.
7. Click Save
8. Click Return to LMS
   • Please Note: On the “Configure External Tool” pop-up, there will be a link automatically populated in the URL box. Do not make any changes to that link.
9. Click Select to return to the assignment page.
10. Fill in any additional fields you wish to populate in the LMS for this assignment and click Save & Publish or Save
    • You should see the assignment title, description, and points value appear on this screen automatically.
    • Please Note: Canvas does not support deep linked due dates, which means if you create due dates in Packback, they will not automatically appear in Canvas. If you want the assignment to appear in the Canvas calendar or To Do list, you will need to add assignment dates to the Canvas assignment page.
      • If assignment dates are not added, students will always be able to click on the assignment link in the LMS. If the due date in Packback has passed, students will not be able to submit the assignment.
      • If you grant any students an extension or allow submissions after the due date, and you do add assignments dates in Canvas, be sure to extend the “End Date” in Canvas to ensure the assignment link remains clickable.
11. The assignment will now be listed in the Assignments area of the course. When the link is clicked, it will open to the assignment page in Packback.

D2L Brightspace Setup Instructions

1. In the Content Section, click Add Existing Activities dropdown menu, and select Packback.
2. A pop-up will appear on the screen. Select the assignment type, if applicable (Discussion or Writing Assignment)
3. Select an existing assignment. If one has not been created, Click +Create Assignment
4. Enter assignment details if creating a new assignment.
5. Click Save
6. Click Return to LMS
7. The assignment will now be listed in the content area of the course. When the link is clicked, it will open to the assignment page in Packback.
   • Please Note: If you grant any students an extension or allow submissions after the due date, be sure to extend the “End Date” in D2L to ensure the assignment link remains clickable.

Additional Note: If you need to make changes to the assignment title, description, or dates, be sure to make those changes in Packback and D2L. If you edit Max Points in Packback, that will be reflected in D2L. However, if you update the points value in D2L, it will not sync back to Packback.

Blackboard Setup Instructions

1. In the Course Content area, click on the plus sign and select Content Market
2. In the Content Market screen, scroll to locate Packback. 
3. A pop-up will appear on the screen. Select the assignment type, if applicable (Discussion or Writing Assignment)
4. Select an existing assignment. If one has not been created, Click +Create Assignment
5. Enter assignment details if creating a new assignment.
6. Click Save
7. Click Return to LMS
8. The assignment will appear in the Course Content area. To edit any details, click the menu in the right-hand corner of the card or select the “Release Conditions” hyperlink to edit the start and end dates.
   • Please Note: If you grant any students an extension or allow submissions after the due date, be sure to extend the due date in Blackboard to ensure the assignment link remains clickable for students.

Moodle Setup Instructions

1. Toggle on Edit mode in the top right-hand corner of the page.
2. Within a topic, click + Add an activity or resource, which will open a pop up modal.
3. Click on the Activities tab and then click on External Tool, which will bring you back to the Moodle page.
4. In the Preconfigured tool dropdown, select Packback. Then click Select Content.
5. A pop-up will appear on the screen. Select the assignment type, if applicable (Discussion or Writing Assignment)
6. Select an existing assignment. If one has not been created, Click +Create Assignment
7. Enter assignment details if creating a new assignment.
8. Click Save
9. Click Return to LMS
   • Please Note: In the General section, there will now be a link automatically populated in the Tool URL box. Do not make any changes to that link. 
10. Fill in any additional fields you wish to populate in the LMS for this assignment and click Save and return to course or Save and display
    • You should see the assignment title and points value appear on this screen automatically.
    • Please Note: Moodle does not support deep linked due dates, which means if you create due dates in Packback, they will not automatically appear in Moodle.
11. The assignment will now be listed under a Topic in the course. When the link is clicked, it will open to the assignment page in Packback.

Schoology Setup Instructions

1. Click Materials in the navigation menu. 
2. Click the Add Materials dropdown and select Packback.
3. A pop-up will appear on the screen. Select the assignment type, if applicable (Discussion or Writing Assignment)
4. Select an existing assignment. If one has not been created, Click +Create Assignment
5. Enter assignment details if creating a new assignment.
6. Click Save
7. Click Return to LMS
8. The deep linked assignment will appear on the Materials tab. When the link is clicked, it will open to the assignment page in Packback.

Please Note: If you need to make changes to the assignment title, description, or dates, be sure to make those changes in Packback. If you edit Max Points in Packback, that will be reflected in Schoology. However, if you update the points value in Schoology, it will not sync back to Packback.