If you are considering integrating SRF into your Canvas account, check out our article which describes how to get started with that integration. Once you have decided to go with a SRF/Canvas integration, we'll set everything up on the backend and send you instructions on how to link SRF into your Canvas account. Below is an example of what those instructions will look like (**Note** These are sample instructions. Once you have ordered your accounts and everything has been set up for you, you will receive specific instructions for your account. You will only access SRF through Canvas. You will not access SRF with a username and password through our website or app).
Canvas And Sight Reading Factory Integration Instructions
System Requirements
For Android smartphone/tablet users, Windows or Mac laptop/desktop users, Chromebook users, and iPhone/iPad users whose devices run iOS 14 or higher, Canvas will launch the web browser-based SRF - no special app is needed. We do recommend using the Chrome browser but other modern browsers work as well. For students that use iPhones or iPads that run iOS 13 or lower, they must also install the Sight Reading Factory iOS app.
Instructions to configure Sight Reading Factory as an "External App" in your Canvas account
The first step to linking Canvas with SRF is to add Sight Reading Factory as an "External App" in your Canvas account. You can do this one of two ways: 1) using the "By URL" Configuration Type or 2) using the "Manual Entry" Configuration type.
Add External App using the "By URL" Configuration Type
The easiest way to configure Canvas and SRF is to use the Canvas “By URL” method. Check out this link for more information on using the "By URL" method in Canvas. You can use the values below to configure SRF in your Canvas account using the "By URL" method:
Name: SightReadingFactory
Consumer Key: <ConsumerKeyValue> (this is a fake value used as a an example)
Shared Secret: <SharedSecretKeyGoesHere> (this is a fake value used as a an example)
Configuration URL: https://www.sightreadingfactory.com/lti/config/<consumerKey> (this is a fake URL used as a an example)
This approach will default privacy mode to “anonymous”, which we recommend, but may not be right for you.
Add External App using the "Manual Entry" Configuration Type
Alternatively, you can use the Canvas "Manual Entry" method to configure SRF. Check out this link for more information on using the "Manual Entry" method in Canvas. You can use the values below to configure SRF in your Canvas account using the "Manual Entry" method:
Name: SightReadingFactory
Consumer Key: <ConsumerKey> (this is a fake value used as a an example)
Shared Secret: <SharedSecretKey> (this is a fake value used as a an example)
Launch URL: https://www.sightreadingfactory.com/lti/canvas/<consumerKey> (this is a fake URL used as a an example)
Domain: sightreadingfactory.com
Custom Fields: studentView=$Canvas.masqueradingUser.id
Setting up SRF for General Practice and Assignments
Once SRF is configured as an External Tool in your Course Settings, you are ready to create a Canvas module item that can be used for general practice. You can also configure SRF assignments that your students can launch and submit through Canvas.
Creating a Canvas Module Item for SRF General Practice
You can launch SRF from Canvas to use SRF for general practice with your students in the classroom using "Freeplay" or "Challenge" modes. Creating this SRF practice link in Canvas also gives your students the ability to launch a SRF general practice session from their Canvas accounts as well. After you or your students click the Canvas module item for SRF general practice, it will take you to the SRF Dashboard where you can click "Start Sight Reading" to begin a practice session. You'll also be able to quickly launch recent or saved configurations from the Dashboard.
Check out this link for instructions on how to add a generic SRF link as a module item that will allow you and your students to launch a general practice session.
Creating SRF Assignments in Canvas
Once SRF is configured as an external tool, you can use it to create SRF assignments in Canvas that your students can launch from their Canvas accounts. You'll first create an assignment in Canvas that uses SRF as an external tool. After creating the Canvas assignment, you'll be able to configure the level, key signature, time signature, and other settings for the assignment in Sight Reading Factory. After you've configured the assignment, your students will be able to launch it from their Canvas account, complete the assignment by recording themselves in Sight Reading Factory, and then submit the assignment back to you. You'll then be able to grade your students' submissions through Canvas.
Check out this link for instructions on how to create an assignment in Canvas that you can then configure in SRF for your students to launch.
Using 'Student View' in Canvas
Please note that if you set up SRF as an external app in your Canvas account using the "Manual Entry" method and you did not enter "studentView=$Canvas.masqueradingUser.id" in the Custom Field, when you use the Student View feature in Canvas it will count against your total student account allowance. So be sure enter that value in the Custom Field when setting up using the "Manual Entry" method. If you set up your account using the "By URL" method, you do not need to worry about entering that value because it will automatically be added for you. We definitely recommend setting up using the "By URL" method.
Canvas Roles
Canvas allows users to be set up with many different roles such as Learner, Teacher, Teaching Assistant, Observer, etc. Canvas sends these roles along with any request it makes to SRF. SRF does its best to translate these Canvas roles into SRF roles: Student, Teacher, or Observer. The Teacher, Teaching Assistant, and Adminstrator Canvas roles will be translated into the SRF Teacher role. The Learner Canvas roles will be translated into the SRF Learner role. The Observer Canvas role will be translated into the Observer SRF role. If SRF doesn't recognize any of the roles passed by Canvas, the user will see an error message informing them that we could not find a matching SRF role. If you want to use Canvas/SRF roles differently, or want support for a different Canvas role, please contact us.