Student Access in Test/Beta Environments

[Carter41]

I am using a trial of an LTI that we are exploring and when I add a student to a course in either the test or beta environments and log in as them, I get the following error:

Students are not allowed to access test installations.

If this is the case, how can I test the LTI to see how it behaves from the student's end?

[mzimmerman]

Hi @Carter41 

The "Act as user" function will let you test most things as a student in the test/beta environment, but not all LTIs work with "Act as..."

[Carter41]

Appreciate the quick response. That's exactly the issue I'm facing. I can't determine if this LTI is a fit for us if I can't set it up and use it as a student would.

[chriscas · Accepted solution]

Hi @Carter41,

I'd suggest first trying things using the Act As feature.  If they work as expected, then you're good to go.  If things don't work as expected, you should be able to contact your CSM to at least temporarily enable student access to your test/beta environment.  I'm not sure how long Instructure is willing to leave that access on, so you might want to ask your CSM about that and work together to develop a test plan and timeline that will work for both your side and Instructure.

Hope this helps!

-Chris

[bdye]

We find it much easier to create a "fake student" account to test LTI's.

"Act As" may or may not work.

[Carter41]

You created a fake student account on the test/beta server, or on production? I tried on test/beta and when I logged in as my fake student account, I get this error: Students are not allowed to access test installations.

[Chris_Hofer]

@Carter41 ...

That is correct.  You cannot log in as a student to "test" or "beta" when your user is a student in a course in either of those environments.  You'll notice that there aren't any links to student-specific Guides (only for instructors and admins) on these two documented pages:

• What is the Canvas test environment?
• What is the Canvas beta environment?

You'd have to use an account in "production" if you wanted to test something out as a student, I believe.  Sorry I don't have better news for you.

[Carter41]

Much appreciated.