Customization

Create unique learning solutions with Open edX.

Our core product is flexible, extensible, and can be customized to cover multiple markets. Find out how to create your unique learning platform here:

XBlocks

To create rich, engaging online courses, course authors must be able to combine components from a variety of sources. XBlock, which is edX’s component architecture, makes this possible. Courses are built hierarchically of pieces called XBlocks. Like HTML tags, XBlocks can represent pieces 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.

XBlocks are not limited only to delivering courses. A complete educational ecosystem will make use of a number of web applications, all of which will need access to course content and data. XBlocks provide the structure and APIs needed to build components for use in all of these applications.

LTI

You may have discovered or developed an external learning application that you want to add to your online course. Or, you may have a digital copy of your textbook that uses a format other than PDF. You can add external learning applications or textbooks to Studio by using a Learning Tools Interoperability (LTI) component. The LTI component is based on the IMS Global Learning Tools Interoperability version 1.1.1 specifications.

You can use an LTI component in several ways.

  • Add external LTI content that is displayed only, such as textbook content that doesn’t require a student response.
  • Add external LTI content that requires a student response. An external provider will grade student responses.
  • Use the component as a placeholder for syncing with an external grading system.

API

Open edX includes a suite of APIs that allow you to build applications that interact with the core platform.
Open edX APIs use Representational State Transfer (ReST) design principles and support JavaScript Object Notation (JSON) data-interchange format.

Our APIs use OAuth 2.0 for authentication. OAuth 2.0 is an open standard used by many systems that require secure user authentication. See the OAuth 2.0 Standard for more information.

The Open edX Platform ReST APIs are a rapidly growing and evolving set of capabilities that enable you to build web, desktop, and mobile applications that work with your Open edX instance.
Currently the Open edX Platform includes the following APIs: Enrollment API, User API and Data Analytics API.