The Blue Portal Integrator (Overview)
- Learning Management System (LMS) - A computerized system used by students and teachers to track the progress of classes and curriculum (Moodle, Brightspace, Blackboard Learn, etc.). LMSs often support LTI Tools.
- Learning Tools Interoperability Tools (LTI Tools) - A standardized protocol for integrating an outside application (such as Blue) into an LMS. These external applications using LTI are collectively referred to as LTI Tools. Learn more about LTI.
- Blue Portal Integrator (BPI) - A communications tool that allows users to connect with Blue through their learning management systems (LMS) or portal.
- Blue Connector - A utility that allows Blue tasks to be accessed through an external system as well as using additional features of an LMS such as announcements, course blocking, calendar events and more.
- Pathway - BPI pathways provide the ability for a task in Blue to be used outside of Blue, more commonly in an LMS.
What Is BPI?
The Blue Portal Integrator (BPI) is a communications layer that sits between Blue and an LMS. It communicates using LTI or native integrations. Through the use of pathways and/or the Blue Connector, it allows raters and secondary subjects to complete Blue tasks, such as fillouts, within the LMS.
In short, BPI can be visualized as a portal or a window into Blue.
What is the relationship between BPI and Blue Connector?
The Blue Connector integrates natively to the LMS, meaning it can communicate with the LMS with no additional interpreters: they speak the same language. Therefore, the Blue Connector can add tasks, send notifications, assign "To-Do" Items, launch pop-ups, update the calendar, and even control access to an LMS section until a task is completed (e.g. allow early grade access once the fillout task is submitted). It receives information from Blue via a BPI Pathway.
This graphic demonstrates, in a nutshell, the relationship between an institution's systems and Explorance systems.
