diff --git a/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/lti_module.py b/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/lti_module.py
index 5257fd1247da..ed3a52dc816a 100644
--- a/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/lti_module.py
+++ b/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/lti_module.py
@@ -108,7 +108,7 @@ class LTIModule(LTIFields, XModule):
 
     1. Get credentials from course settings.
 
-    2.  There is minimal set of parameters need to be signed (presented for Vitalsource)::
+    2.  There is minimal set of parameters or "basic launch data" need to be signed (presented for Vitalsource)::
 
             user_id
             oauth_callback
@@ -117,12 +117,15 @@ class LTIModule(LTIFields, XModule):
             launch_presentation_return_url
             lti_message_type
             lti_version
-            role
+            roles 
             *+ all custom parameters*
 
         These parameters should be encoded and signed by *OAuth1* together with
         `launch_url` and *POST* request type.
 
+        for a reference to all standard "basic launch data" see 
+        http://www.imsglobal.org/LTI/v1p1p1/ltiIMGv1p1p1.html#_Toc330273026
+
     3. Signing proceeds with client key/secret pair obtained from course settings.
         That pair should be obtained from LTI provider and set into course settings by course author.
         After that signature and other OAuth data are generated.
@@ -162,7 +165,7 @@ class LTIModule(LTIFields, XModule):
                 <input name="oauth_timestamp" value="${oauth_timestamp}" />
                 <input name="oauth_version" value="1.0" />
                 <input name="user_id" value="${user_id}" />
-                <input name="role" value="student" />
+                <input name="roles" value="Student" />
                 <input name="oauth_signature" value="${oauth_signature}" />
 
                 <input name="custom_1" value="${custom_param_1_value}" />
@@ -351,7 +354,11 @@ def oauth_params(self, custom_parameters, client_key, client_secret):
             u'launch_presentation_return_url': '',
             u'lti_message_type': u'basic-lti-launch-request',
             u'lti_version': 'LTI-1p0',
-            u'role': u'student',
+
+            # TODO: do a check to see if the user is a course staff or a TA and so on
+            # in case use u'roles': u'Instructor' which give more privileges inside the 
+            # Tool Provider side
+            u'roles': u'Student',
 
             # Parameters required for grading:
             u'resource_link_id': self.get_resource_link_id(),