Getting started

This document will lead you through the process of setting up an instance of the Numbas LTI tool provider on your own server, and adding a Numbas activity to a course in your VLE.

What do I need in order to use this?

You must run your own instance of this tool - as well as using a fair amount of server resources, we don’t want to keep other people’s student data!

To install the tool, you need:

  • A dedicated server to install the software on, which will communicate with your virtual learning environment. At Newcastle, we use servers running Ubuntu, though anything that can run Python will do. As a rough guide, you’ll need around 0.5MB of disk space per student attempt.

  • The ability to add a link to an LTI tool to your virtual learning environment. In Blackboard and Moodle, only administrators can do this, but it only needs to be done once.

At most institutions, this will require the help of your IT team.

If you’re unsure whether you can use the LTI tool provider, or want help setting it up, email the Numbas team.

Install the software

Follow the installation instructions to set up an instance of the Numbas LTI tool provider on your own server.

Add a Numbas activity to your course

Add a link from your course’s page in your VLE to the Numbas tool provider.

Download a Numbas exam package from the Numbas editor and upload it to the newly-created resource.

Students who click on the link will be shown the exam, and their answers and scores will be saved to the tool provider.

Get scores for the activity

You can download a .CSV file of the students’ scores or report their scores back to the VLE’s gradebook.