Inquiry: Integrating External APIs with Canvas

[DeveshMishra]

Hi @chriscas 

I hope you’re doing well.

I was wondering if there is a way to use external APIs within Canvas or post APIs from other services to integrate them with Canvas. Could you please let me know if this is possible and how it can be done?

Your guidance would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you for your help! in advance.

[chriscas]

Hi @DeveshMishra,

The most official way to integrate tools with a learning management system like Canvas is via the 1EdTech Learning Tools Interoperability specification (the 1.3 version is the newest version of the spec).

In broad terms, there are many possibilities, including API, but it really depends on what you're trying to do.  As a Canvas admin, I can tell you that we scrutinize integrations that use APIs more than ones that are LTI-only, but sometimes utilization of APIs is needed.  This is a very big topic, so it's hard for me to give you many specifics without knowing more about what kind of tool/service you're trying to integrate.

I'll move this post over to the Developers Group area of the community where more coders hang out and may chime in with some guidance for you.

If you're able to give any more info about what you're trying to do, that would really help everyone give you the best advice.

-Chris