Authentication Protocols
While OLab can be used as a standalone application, we find that many teachers like to integrate OLab with other apps and platforms.
Yes, OLab is a powerful platform that can provide many functions but one size does not fit all and it makes sense to use a variety of tools and applications for online learning. Many vendors try to draw you into a monolithic approach, promising that their platform does everything. Yes, we are looking at you, Adobe, Articulate, Microsoft. While these large platforms are very capable, none of them do everything well. Beware of vendor promises around customization to your needs: that gets expensive really quickly.
It is better on the whole to be able to take advantage of being able to use a suite of applications together, with each one providing the functional area that it does best.
We have successfully integrated OpenLabyrinth with WordPress, Moodle, Desire2Learn and some custom systems.
We have used a variety of ways to do this. At its simplest, you can just embed a URL pointing to an OLab case into any web resource. This will work but has the downside that you have no idea who is playing the case.
We have also used methods such as OAuth, SCORM, IMS-LTI and xAPI to provide integration across systems. There is more information about these at:
- https://olab.ca/pihpes-project-a-new-set-of-servers/
- https://olab.ca/pihpes-and-cigars/
- https://openlabyrinth.ca/controlling-access-to-olab-cases/
- https://openlabyrinth.ca/using-xapi-to-support-blended-simulation/