Educational institutions are under increasing pressure to deliver adaptable learning experiences Yet many legacy systems weren’t built to work well enough together to support this.
When tools don’t communicate or assessments won’t transfer between platforms, each new integration feels like a problem waiting to happen. As hybrid learning, digital access, and new assessment formats become the new norm, this disjointedness can delay change, increase IT issues, and disrupt the learner experience.
Below, we uncover how solution interoperability solves these challenges, and how a standards-driven approach can help you build scalable, future-proof, flexible learning environments.
Key Takeaways
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- Interoperability supports flexible learning environments across devices, platforms, and locations by ensuring all digital tools work together seamlessly.
- Open standards—such as LTI, PCI, and the QTI standard—ensure system compatibility and reduce vendor lock-in.
- Benefits of interoperability include scalability, reduced vendor dependency, consistency in user experience, and a future-proofed digital learning ecosystem.
- To adopt interoperability, institutions should choose tools that adhere to 1EdTech standards, minimize proprietary integrations, and continue to monitor and improve once systems are in place.
What Is Interoperability?
Interoperability is the ability of different systems, tools, and applications to work together and transfer data and content easily without custom fixes.
For example, in an educational context, this could mean that a test created on one tool can be delivered on another.
In short, interoperability allows your “digital ecosystem” to operate as a single, unified environment, rather than a mismatch of disconnected tools.
What Interoperability Means in Modern Education
When systems are interoperable, students and administrators can easily move between devices, platforms, and learning locations. In an increasingly hybrid educational context, this is necessary to future-proof education and learning.
Similarly, institutions can pick and choose the tools they use, streamlining interchangeability without worrying about tiresome technical issues. As a result, this also lowers the strain on IT departments, who can spend a lot of time maintaining and fixing custom integrations.
Overall, interoperability turns technology into an enabler of a high-quality, flexible learning environment by allowing users to enjoy a consistent experience, regardless of the device they’re using or their location.
How Open Standards Enable Flexible Learning Environments
Open standards are technical rules and specifications created by trusted organizations, such as 1EdTech, that help different tools work together and “speak the same language”—even if they’ve been developed by different companies.
Platforms designed around these standards are easier to integrate and evolve. This increases flexibility and ensures institutions can continue adopting new technologies without unnecessary disruption.
Open standards therefore play a key role in supporting the interoperability of educational systems. Let’s take a closer look at some important examples.
The QTI (Question and Test Interoperability) standard
The QTI standard is a universal, 1EdTech–certified format for creating, sharing, and delivering assessment content. It defines a common structure for questions, response types, scoring rules, metadata, and test layouts so that items can move smoothly between different authoring tools, assessment platforms, and learning systems.
By standardizing how questions are described and exchanged, QTI eliminates the need to recreate items for each new platform, thus preserving instructional intent, reducing duplication of effort, and lowering long-term maintenance costs.
Educators and assessment providers can author content once and deploy it anywhere that supports the standard. QTI also supports accessibility, multimedia, and advanced interaction types, ensuring that modern assessments can be delivered consistently and equitably across systems. As a result, QTI forms the backbone of interoperable digital assessment ecosystems.
Portable Custom Interaction (PCI)
The PCI standard makes it possible to create advanced, interactive questions for online assessments that work across different testing systems using the QTI and APIP (Accessible Portable Item Protocol) standards. PCIs are a type of Technology Enhanced Item (TEI) that move beyond traditional question types and offer a better way of assessing 21st-century skills.
Complex question formats—such as virtual labs, drawing or annotation tasks, or simulations —are supported and all assets and data can be easily transferred between standards-based platforms seamlessly.
Learning Tools Interoperability (LTI)
Learning Tools Interoperability refers to a standard “plug-in system” for educational technology. It connects tools to learning management system (LMS) platforms—such as Moodle or Canvas—securely and quickly.
LTI also allows students to move easily between systems, encouraging a smoother user experience and enabling new apps or tools to be added easily.
If LTI didn’t exist, each tool would need a custom-built integration, which could result in increased technical faults and glitches, causing more issues than it solves. As a result, LTI is ideal for institutions managing large technological ecosystems.
Mathematical Markup Language (MathML)
If written in plain text, complex mathematical symbols such as fractions and square roots can become corrupted when displayed on different devices or screen sizes. MathML is the solution, offering a standardized format for math notation that all platforms and systems can read and display correctly. Put simply: It’s the universal language of math for the internet.
OpenID Connect (OIDC)
OpenID Connect provides a “secure single sign-on” for all systems. This eliminates the need for multiple usernames and passwords, making sign-in easier and, in turn, saving both money and time that would otherwise be spent contacting help desks for password resets.
Security issues are also reduced, as OIDC supports multi-factor authentication—such as 2FA or biometric security—helping to safeguard sensitive data.
OneRoster
OneRoster is a 1EdTech standard designed to simplify how schools and districts exchange class rosters, course information, enrollment data, and grades between their various learning systems. Without a common data format, institutions often rely on manual uploads or custom integrations that are time-consuming and prone to errors.
By providing a consistent, secure way to share student and classroom information, OneRoster ensures that learning platforms, SISs (Student Information Systems), and assessment tools always have the correct data—automatically and in real time. This reduces administrative workload, minimizes data mismatches, and accelerates the setup of new digital tools.
Because OneRoster is vendor-neutral and widely adopted, institutions gain the flexibility to choose from a broad ecosystem of applications without worrying about whether those tools can “talk to” their existing systems. In this way, OneRoster strengthens interoperability and contributes directly to more streamlined digital learning environments.
Computer Adaptive Testing (CAT)
Computer Adaptive Testing is an assessment approach in which the difficulty of each question adjusts dynamically based on a student’s performance. To make CAT possible across different platforms, systems must be able to exchange item data, scoring logic, metadata, and test results reliably and consistently.
The 1EdTech Computer Adaptive Testing standard provides a way to streamline interoperability between adaptive testing engines, item banks, and assessment delivery platforms, effectively eliminating the need for proprietary development.
When these systems share a common language, adaptive testing becomes more scalable and cost-effective for institutions. Schools can mix and match content providers, analytics tools, and test delivery systems while maintaining a seamless experience for students and educators. This flexibility ultimately supports richer, more personalized assessment strategies aligned to modern learning needs.
Benefits of Interoperability for Educational Institutions
Here are some of the main advantages for educational institutions that adopt interoperability.
Multi-device and multi-context delivery
Interoperability supports remote, hybrid, and in-person learning across multiple devices, without duplicating content or manually tweaking systems. As a result, students can expect the same smooth learning experience whether they’re using a tablet at home or working on a computer in the classroom.
Streamlined access through SSO
When systems follow open standards, tools can be launched directly from platforms educators and students already know, such as their LMS, without extra passwords, unfamiliar portals, or confusing navigation.
Using standards like OpenID Connect (OIDC) and LTI, institutions can offer secure single sign-on, allowing test-takers to begin an exam with one click and administrators to manage access seamlessly. This reduces disruption, eliminates confusion, and minimizes support requests related to login issues, making the entire assessment experience smoother and more reliable.
Supports diverse learners and SEND requirements
When all tools and technologies work well together, learning is more consistent and adaptable. This is especially important for students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), who may rely on different devices or assistive technology more frequently. Interoperability ensures test-taker accommodations and accessibility settings “travel with them” across systems, reducing barriers to learning.
Less involuntary lock-in
Interoperability frees institutions from rigid, closed ecosystems, making it easier to adopt the right tools on their own terms. Because data and content can easily move between systems, there is less dependency on a single vendor and institutions are less vulnerable to price increases or limited feature sets.
Better scalability
As more students join, new tools are added, and programs inevitably grow, interoperable systems can scale with ease. There’s no need for costly custom integrations, and new apps can be added to existing workflows quickly and safely.
Future-proofed infrastructure
As technology advances, you might worry that your digital infrastructure may become outdated. However, interoperability ensures your systems remain compatible, even if new tools, formats, or devices emerge.
Less strain on IT departments
Without the need for custom integrations to make your educational systems mesh, tools are much less likely to break. In turn, IT departments can focus on the important, bigger-picture tasks rather than constant troubleshooting.
How Institutions Can Adopt Interoperability Successfully
To develop an interoperable technological landscape, institutions should adopt the following approach.
Choose platforms built to connect easily with others
Prioritize systems with a modern and demonstrable application programming interface (API) that aligns with industry-recognized open standards. These platforms are designed for flexibility, reducing the friction and cost often associated with integrating new tools into your existing stack.
Require proof of adherence to 1EdTech standards
Request that vendors supply proof of certification (e.g., LTI Advantage or the QTI standard) before adopting any new potential systems. This provides an independent guarantee that the tool is technically compliant and will operate reliably with your other standards-aligned systems.
Tools such as TAO—known for supporting QTI, PCI, LTI, OneRoster, MathML, and other open standards—show how a standards-first approach can make digital learning ecosystems more stable and adaptable.
Avoid custom and proprietary integrations
Steer clear of custom fixes—such as rewriting formatting rules or using local plugins—as these are high-risk, require ongoing patching, and are highly likely to break every time systems update.
Avoiding proprietary integrations—such as eBooks that only work on certain readers, or content libraries that only display inside a specific LMS—also helps reduce your reliance on a single vendor or its developers.
Educate staff
Interoperability is a cultural shift as much as a technical one. Thorough training and education for staff that focuses on why interoperability matters and how it supports adaptive and effective learning is key to ensuring successful compliance.
Test, monitor, and improve
Implement rigorous testing of tools in a sandbox environment before going fully live. Once systems have been launched, continue to monitor their integrity and effectiveness, using analytics to confirm that all tools are working together seamlessly and reliably.
By following these steps, you can build a strong, sustainable foundation for digital transformation.
Conclusion
Interoperability is fundamental in building flexible, modern, and future-proofed learning environments.
When institutions use interoperable systems, they lay the foundations for a stronger digital ecosystem—without being constrained by outdated systems. By choosing tools that prioritize and follow 1EdTech-aligned standards, institutions can reduce vendor dependence, lower long-term costs, and create seamless, enjoyable experiences for both students and teachers.
Learn more about interoperability assurances by reading our step-by-step guide, or find out more about TAO’s certification in open standards.
Get Started With an Interoperable Assessment Ecosystem
As a standards-driven open platform, TAO gives you the flexibility to streamline operations and develop a future-proofed digital learning strategy—all without being locked in.
Explore authoring tools that let you create rich, interactive items with ease, intuitive reporting features that turn assessment data into clear insights, and reliable delivery capabilities that support scalable testing across different devices and learning environments.
If you want to evolve your digital assessment ecosystem, schedule a demo with TAO today and see what true interoperability looks like in practice.
FAQs
What is interoperability, and why is it important?
Interoperability refers to different technology systems that can connect, share information, and work together easily without custom fixes. This makes tools easier to use, reduces technical problems, supports flexible learning across devices, and allows institutions to switch vendors without losing any content or data.
What are flexible learning environments?
Flexible learning environments are learning setups that allow students to learn anywhere, anytime, and on any device. This can include online, hybrid, self-paced, or on-the-go learning. Interoperability is a key component in providing this, as flexible learning environments work best when technology systems connect smoothly.
What is an example of learning tools interoperability?
A simple example of learning tools interoperability is connecting an external learning app—such as a quiz platform or digital textbook—to an LMS such as Canvas, Blackboard, or Moodle. For example, when a student uses a learning tool such as a quiz app via LTI, the score they earn in that tool is automatically sent back to the LMS and appears in the gradebook.
