Here is a recap of OpenCraft's March 2021 newsletter.
Ned Batchelder from edX and Fox Piacenti from OpenCraft gave a joint talk during the last Online Community Meetup. Ned explained the difference between edX and the Open edX system. Fox gave an overview of the components that make up the platform. They both answered intriguing questions about existing and upcoming features.
A series of developments are underway for the Open edX native mobile apps to support an increased number of assessment types. Upon completion, three widely-used XBlocks–Open Response Assessment (ORA), Drag And Drop, and Word Cloud–will be fully supported in the mobile apps, helping eliminate roadblocks that can prevent learners from completing courses.
-> Read full announcement on Open edX Blog
The Open edX Toggles and Settings Doc-a-thon ended on March 15th. A total of 17 members of the community joined forces, and wrote documentation for no less than 104 previously undocumented toggles and settings, including 32 contributed by OpenCraft! This example shows that meaningful contributions can come in small pieces : )
-> Click here for a full recap on the Open edX Blog
After much anticipation, we have completed the removal of XModule from the Open edX platform. XModule was the platform's original course component mechanism, and the predecessor of XBlock. This massive effort took the form of a blended development project involving both OpenCraft and edX. This milestone will bring about a major simplification of the courseware internal system, and we couldn't be happier! To mark the occasion, edX is even hosting an online "piñata celebration" on April 1st. Join us and celebrate!
Updated for 2026 to reflect current institutional LMS requirements. TL;DR If you’re responsible for selecting or upgrading your institution’s learning management system (LMS), whether you work in a university, government department, or enterprise, this guide is for you. Below, you’ll find our no-fluff take on: By the end, you’ll have a clear framework for making […]
In our recent guide on choosing the best open-source LMS for universities, governments, and enterprises, we explored why open technologies provide public institutions with greater control, transparency, and long-term value compared to proprietary platforms. This article takes that discussion a step further. Government organizations worldwide are steadily expanding their online learning initiatives, ranging from internal […]
Open edX is one of the world’s most powerful open-source learning management systems (LMSs). And honestly, there’s no greater show of trust than the institutions that rely on it. We’re talking Harvard, MIT, Western Governors University (WGU), Arizona State University, Zoom, and the list just keeps going. It’s a platform trusted by universities, governments, and […]
