SS&E LMS Integration: Basics & Prerequisites

Overview

Student Success & Engagement integrates with several LMSs to provide updated LMS data to a student’s success team. This article provides information on the integration purpose and prerequisites. The details outlined in this guide are subject to change as Watermark processes and requirements change over time.

• The intent is for the Student Success Team to be able to view all important information on a student in a “one stop shop” and avoid the need to navigate between various systems.
• Automatic alerting, filtering and reporting features leverage LMS data to quickly identify students who may need additional support for their success team.

There are three general types of LMS data that are imported into SS&E: Course Sections, Enrollments, and Assignments. Assignments sync is supported for Blackboard, Canvas, & Moodle only. Attendance data is not synced from any LMS at this time. More detailed information about the LMS data sync can be found here:

• LMS Data Synchronization
• LMS Assignment Data Synchronization

Prerequisites

In order for an institution using Student Success & Engagement to implement or migrate to a new LMS provider or tool, the following information must be available:

1. Authentication information 
   • After implementation, the LMS connection details can be viewed and managed/updated by SS&E Administrators from LMS Integration Configuration Administration.
2. LMS course id/short name format
   • The course id or short name must contain enough information to identify course sections as defined in the SIS. This generally means academic term, course code, and section information. 
   • If used, merged/combined courses must have a course id/short name that can be used to identify all relevant sections.
3. Data
   • The LMS that is being integrated with must have production course sections that can be used for verification purposes.
4. LMS Configuration
   • The LMS must be configured in advance to allow appropriate communication with SS&E. This includes, but is not limited to:
     1. SS&E - LMS Integration steps completed within the LMS including SS&E Plugins installed (if applicable).
     2. Course gradebooks formatted appropriately.
        • For each course Current/Total grade is formatted as a percentage in order for SS&E to process them.
        • Grades are published and/or available externally for the integration.
     3. LMS Course Resolver implemented or updated by Watermark Technical Services.
     4. See individual LMS Setup Guides for all LMS Integration requirements.