SIS Integration Terminology

Classes vs Courses 

In the Pearson LMS, the word “course” is used to refer to the instance of Pearson content that your teachers and students are added to and interact with for teaching and learning. In your SIS “course” may instead be used to refer to a course of study with a curriculum that may be taught by different teachers (for example, Grade 9 English) while “class” or “section” is used to refer to a specific instance of a course taught by a specified teacher at a specified time (for example, Grade 9 English taught by Ms. Smith in 3rd period).  

When discussing an integration between the Pearson LMS and your SIS, the “course” on the LMS side is closer to what’s called a “class” or “section” in your SIS. 

Glossary of Terms

Abbreviations 

• API: Application programming interface 
  • a more streamlined way for different applications to exchange data with each other 
• CSV: Comma-separated values 
  • can be displayed in spreadsheet format 
• LMS: Learning Management System 
  • the application in which teaching and learning happen 
  • in our case Connexus (Powered by Agilix Buzz)  
• LTI: Learning Tools Interoperability 
  • a way for external learning applications to integrate with content in the LMS 
• SIS: Student Information System 
  • the application for administrative tasks and creation and tracking of details about classes, school staff, and students 

Other Terms

• OneRoster 
  • a data exchange standard from 1EdTech (formerly IMS Global) for rostering, course setup, and grade reporting
• Course 
  • in OneRoster data specification and some SISs: 
    • a course of study with a curriculum that may be taught by different teachers 
    • example: Grade 9 English 
  • in our LMS: 
    • contains the content teachers and students interact with for teaching and learning 
    • matches the definition of a “Class” or “Section” in SIS rostering 
•  Class 
  • in OneRoster data specification and some SISs: 
    • a specific instance of a course being taught by a specified teacher at a specified time 
    • example: Grade 9 English 3rd period with Ms. Smith 
  • definition is identical with “Section” in some SISs and other tools 
• Section 
  • definition is identical with “Class” in some SISs and other tools