Introduction to XBlocks#

This section introduces XBlocks.

Overview#

As a developer, you build XBlocks that course teams use to create independent course components that work seamlessly with other components in an online course.

For example, you can build XBlocks to represent individual problems or pieces of text or HTML content. Furthermore, like Legos, XBlocks are composable; you can build XBlocks to represent larger structures such as lessons, sections, and entire courses.

A primary advantage to XBlocks is that they are sharable. The code you write can be deployed in any instance of the Open edX Platform or other XBlock runtime application, then used by any course team using that system.

In educational applications, XBlocks can be used to represent individual problems, web-formatted text and videos, interactive simulations and labs, or collaborative learning experiences. Furthermore, XBlocks are composable, allowing an XBlock developer to control the display of other XBlocks to compose lessons, sections, and entire courses.

XBlock Independence and Interoperability#

You must design your XBlock to meet two goals.

  • The XBlock must be independent of other XBlocks. Course teams must be able to use the XBlock without depending on other XBlocks.

  • The XBlock must work together with other XBlocks. Course teams must be able to combine different XBlocks in flexible ways.

XBlocks Compared to Web Applications#

XBlocks are like miniature web applications: they maintain state in a storage layer, render themselves through views, and process user actions through handlers.

XBlocks differ from web applications in that they render only a small piece of a complete web page.

Like HTML <div> tags, XBlocks can represent components as small as a paragraph of text, a video, or a multiple choice input field, or as large as a section, a chapter, or an entire course.