Learning Tools Interoperability (LTI) standards provide
ways to integrate learning applications with platforms such as learning management
systems (LMS). Now, some LMS providers are offering monetary rewards to anyone
who can create a better LTI app.
The LTI Bounty program will pay $250 to developers for apps that make it easier to use those
learning management systems, which are considered somewhat “antisocial” when it
comes to working within a social networking framework. Submitted entries will
be judged by a panel of educational technology experts and the top picks are
eligible to win a $1,000 prize.
“Cooperation in education is fundamental to learning,
and I believe it’s fundamental to creating a technology ecosystem,” Brian
Whitmer, co-founder of Instructure told eCampus News.
“Unfortunately, old-style vendor lock-in has been a drag on the level of
innovation and growth of a true ed-tech ecosystem. But with indicatives like
the app bounty, we’re working to fix that.”
