Institutions regularly ask about the benefits of moving to LTI 1.3 during EchoVideo check-in calls. While LTI 1.1 continues to function for many existing courses, LTI 1.3 is the industry-standard connection moving forward and offers several advantages in security, supportability, and feature access. This article explains why the transition matters and what it means for you.
What Is LTI 1.3?
LTI 1.3 is the latest version of the IMS Global interoperability standard that connects external tools, like EchoVideo, to an LMS. It introduces a more modern security framework based on OAuth 2.0 and signed JSON Web Tokens, resulting in a more reliable and secure exchange of information between systems. This upgraded framework serves as the foundation for many new and future capabilities in LMS integrations.
Benefit Overview
Migrating to LTI 1.3 brings meaningful improvements across security, LMS compatibility, access to EchoVideo features, and the overall user experience. Institutions that adopt the LTI 1.3 position themselves for long-term stability as LMS vendors continue to evolve their platforms and focus support on modern integration standards.
Security Improvements
One of the strongest reasons to move to LTI 1.3 is the enhanced security model it provides. The updated authentication flow adds stronger protections for user data, reduces opportunities for impersonation or spoofing, and aligns more closely with current privacy and compliance expectations. As institutions place greater priority on data security, LTI 1.3 offers a more robust, future-ready approach.
Long-Term LMS and Vendor Support
Across the industry, vendors are shifting their development and troubleshooting efforts toward LTI 1.3. While LTI 1.1 remains functional, it no longer receives meaningful updates, and LMS providers are gradually phasing out support for older integration patterns. Moving to LTI 1.3 helps ensure that your EchoVideo connection will remain compatible with upcoming LMS releases and that both your LMS provider and Echo360 Support can fully assist when questions or issues arise.
Access to New and Future EchoVideo Features
EchoVideo’s ongoing product development increasingly relies on LTI 1.3's expanded capabilities. Institutions that upgrade gain access to more reliable course navigation placements, improved roster and grade return functionality, and richer launch data that powers more accurate reporting. As new EchoVideo features are introduced, many will depend on LTI 1.3 services, making it the foundation for continued platform innovation.
Improved Instructor and Student Experience
The move to LTI 1.3 creates a smoother experience for instructors and learners. Launching EchoVideo tools becomes more predictable, course copy behavior improves, and identity matching is handled more cleanly. These improvements help reduce confusion, minimize login issues, and create a more seamless workflow for anyone using EchoVideo inside the LMS.
Easier Administration and Troubleshooting
For administrators, LTI 1.3 simplifies the overall setup and maintenance of the LMS connection. Course mapping becomes more reliable, configuration steps are more precise, and error logging is more informative. These changes contribute to a more stable long-term integration, reducing the likelihood of urgent migrations or unexpected disruptions caused by LMS deprecations of older standards.
Risks of Remaining on LTI 1.1
Choosing to stay on LTI 1.1 may limit an institution’s ability to adopt future EchoVideo capabilities. It may lead to increasing support challenges as LMS vendors shift resources away from legacy standards. Over time, institutions may encounter more compatibility issues, reduced support options, and potential disruptions when LMS platforms retire older authentication methods.
Moving to LTI 1.3 delivers stronger security, better reliability, improved user workflows, and future-ready access to features. The transition ensures your EchoVideo integration remains aligned with LMS vendor roadmaps and industry standards. For institutions planning long-term stability and the best possible experience for faculty and students, upgrading to LTI 1.3 is the recommended path.