This article contains the following:
1. How does single sign-on (SSO) work?
2. Who can use single sign-on (SSO)?
3. What is the Clever Portal?
4. What do I need in order to set up single sign-on (SSO)?
5. Other uses for single sign-on (SSO)
How does single sign-on (SSO) work?
Single sign-on (SSO) is the easiest way to log into applications. Students, teachers, and/or administrators will no longer have to manage and remember multiple usernames and passwords!
Single sign-on (SSO) allows users to log into all their applications with just one set of credentials, or you can set up Clever Badges!
Many districts already have a username and password that students already use to access technology at their school site (e.g. Google, ADFS, or another login method).
Single sign-on (SSO) allows you to use that same system to authenticate users for learning applications rather than creating new credentials each time.
Here’s how the login flow works:
- Users access a Clever URL and click the 'Log in with <your login method>' button
- They’re redirected to the selected login page
- Users will enter their credentials
- Upon logging in, your district's login method sends Clever a piece of data that identifies the user that is logging in
- Using that data, we allow that user to access any of their Clever learning applications!
Clever Tip: The Clever Portal also supports universal single sign-on (SSO) via Saved Passwords applications, read more about this here!
Who can use single sign-on (SSO)?
The following users can access applications through Clever single sign-on (SSO):
- Students
- Teachers
- School Admins
- Clever District Admins
Please note: Each individual learning application will have more information regarding which users are supported for single sign-on (SSO), please view the district dashboard > Applications settings tab of each application page for more information.
What is the Clever Portal?
As part of single sign-on (SSO), we offer a free Clever Portal through which students and teachers can access their learning programs in 3 easy steps:
- Navigate to your district’s unique Portal URL, which is configured in your district dashboard > Portal > Portal Settings page.
- Type in their district username and password, or use a Clever Badge
- Access all of their single sign-on (SSO) apps their school or district has connected to Clever!
For more information on using the Clever Portal, please see: Managing your Clever Portal.
What do I need in order to set up single sign-on (SSO)?
1. Secure Sync roster to Clever
In order for users to be able to log in, they must have records in Clever. For more information on syncing data to Clever, please see What is Secure Sync?
Please note: For best results, make sure that there is only one record for each user in Clever. If there are multiple records in Clever for the same user, users may not be able to access all of their applications with the single sign-on (SSO) method as they will have multiple accounts or may not be able to log in at all.
2. Portal URL
Each districts receives a unique Clever URL for your district’s Clever Portal. It follows the format https://clever.com/in/<YOUR CUSTOM SHORTNAME>
You can customize your URL at any time.
3. Configure your login method (Identity Provider)
View this Help Center article to ensure that your login method is set up and ready for your users: How do I set up single sign-on (SSO)? (see: Identity System)
4. Support Contact
For security reasons, Clever will not provide login information to users through any of our communications channels if they reach out to us and, for most of the login methods available, we have no access to those credentials at all!
For this reason, we require that you provide a support contact who will be able to help users log in. You can add and edit this contact from your district dashboard > Portal > SSO Settings page.
Other uses for single sign-on (SSO)
With your existing portal
Single sign-on (SSO) is designed to work with your existing portal. You can allow users to authenticate to applications without using the Clever Portal by embedding single sign-on (SSO) links in your portal, learning management system, or application launch page.
Using 'Log in with Clever' buttons
Some applications have added ‘Log in with Clever’ buttons to their login pages and mobile apps. This button allows your users to log into the application with their universal credentials!