Building 10 New XBlocks for Open edX - A Case Study Overview

At OpenCraft, we are often approached by clients who want to push the boundaries of what the Open edX® platform can do. In this case, the request was clear: design and develop a suite of 10 custom XBlocks that would enhance interactivity, support innovative teaching methods, and remain fully compatible with the core platform.

Project Goals

The objectives were ambitious:

• Provide course authors with new ways to engage learners
• Enable AI-powered evaluation for coding and short answer questions
• Deliver all features within a tight timeline without compromising quality
• Build with upstream compatibility so the broader Open edX community could benefit

Our Approach

We adopted a parallel development workflow with multiple XBlocks in progress at the same time. This allowed for faster delivery while maintaining high standards. Our process included:

• Discovery and planning for each XBlock before development begins
• UX and UI design to ensure a fluid experience for both learners and course authors
• Peer review across all deliverables to ensure consistency and quality

Delivered XBlocks

Some of the XBlocks included in the resulting toolkit are:

• Read Aloud feature for audio learning
• Multi-Problem and Accordion XBlocks for structuring content
• AI-evaluated coding and short answer blocks for instant and intelligent feedback
• An interactive timeline for chronological learning
• Flashcards for quick knowledge checks

See the complete list in the full case study.

Impact

These XBlocks have expanded the capabilities of the Open edX® platform by enabling richer, more versatile learning experiences. Built with the community in mind, they are designed to be easily adapted and reused across different implementations.

Get in touch with OpenCraft today to schedule your free introductory call and explore how XBlocks can elevate your learners’ experience.

Read the full case study here.