Some Blackboard LTI Integrations not Working with Safari
- Thomas Penniston
- Ken Schreihofer
- Former user (Deleted)
Recent updates to the Safari web browser are preventing access to LTI content inside any Learning Management System (LMS) including Blackboard. The issue stems from Apple trying to prevent websites from secretly tracking the browsing activity of Safari users. Unfortunately, these updates are preventing third-party tools from functioning properly.
The problem can present itself in multiple ways depending on the LTI. Using CourseArc, for example, a student may see the troubleshooting screen suggesting that there may be a problem with the LTI connection or setup.
Workaround
Some LTI tools will work in Safari if the integration is set up as a specific link vs. an integrated tool. The link must be set up to open in a new window, which allows Safari to set a new cookie.
Alternatively, users in courses with LTI integrations should use a browser other than Safari to access Blackboard (e.g., use Chrome or Firefox).
Please review the LTI tools tested in Safari listed below.
Tested LTI Tools
Tool | Vendor | Integration Type | Blackboard | Works in Safari | Works in Safari |
Academic Writer | APA | LTI | no | yes | yes |
Acrobatiq | Cengage | Building Block / LTI | no | yes | yes |
ALEKS | McGraw-Hill | LTI | no | NO | yes |
Ally Accessibility Report | Bb | LTI | no | NO | NO |
Ares Library Reserves | Atlas | LTI | no | NO | yes |
VitalSource | Building Block / LTI | no | yes | yes | |
Cengage Learning | Cengage | LTI | yes | yes | yes |
CourseArc | LTI | no | NO | NO | |
Macmillan | LTI | no | yes | yes | |
W.W. Norton | LTI | no | yes | yes | |
Microsoft | LTI | no | yes | NO | |
Panopto | Building Block / LTI | no | yes | partially | |
Building Block / LTI | no | yes | yes | ||
LTI | no | yes | yes | ||
Revel | Pearson | LTI | yes | yes | yes |
Turning Technologies | LTI | no | NO | NO | |
VoiceThread | LTI | no | NO | yes | |
Wiley | LTI | yes | partially | NO | |
zyBooks | zyBooks | LTI | no | yes | yes |
Please click here for a full list of third-party tools.
TESTING NOTES (September 26, 2019)
Browser & macOS versions used
Safari 13.0.1 (14608.2.11.1.11) macOS 10.14.6 (18G95)
Safari 12.1.1 (14607.2.6.1.1) macOS 10.14.5
TESTING PARAMETERS
Disabled "block all cookies" to allow UMBC authentication to work in Safari
Enabled "prevent cross-site tracking"
If tool is enabled as a web link, it must be set to open in new window
Pop-ups must be permitted for blackboard.umbc.edu