10.1. Problems, Exercises, and Tools

You can add a wide variety of different types of problems, exercises, and tools to your course outline. By default, a core set of problem types is available in Studio for you to include in your course. You have the option to expand the initial set of core problem types by enabling additional exercises and tools.

10.1.1. Levels of Support

Note

The support level definitions described in this section and the level of support designated for each exercise, problem type, or tool are applicable only to edx.org.

The level of support that edX provides for each problem, exercise, or tool varies. The levels of support are categorized as full, provisional, or no support. This table provides the definition for each level of support.

In Studio, the support level for each exercise, problem type, or tool is represented with an icon when you select Advanced, HTML, or Problem to add a new component to your course. By default, only fully supported or provisionally supported exercises, problem types, or tools are available for adding to your course. To add unsupported problem types and tools, see Adding Unsupported Problem Types and Exercises.

Level of Support

Description

Full support

Fully supported tools and features are available on edx.org, are fully tested, have user interfaces where applicable, and are documented in the official edX guides that are available on docs.edx.org.

Provisional support

Provisionally supported tools and features are available on edx.org, but might lack the robustness of functionality that your courses require. Third party tools are classified as provisionally supported because edX does not have control over the quality of the software, or of the content that can be provided using such tools.

You should test provisionally supported tools thoroughly before using them in your course, especially in graded sections. Complete documentation might not be available for provisionally supported tools, or documentation might be available from sources other than the official edX guides.

Not supported

Exercises and tools with no support are not maintained by edX, and might be deprecated in the future. They are not recommended for use in courses due to non-compliance with one or more of the base requirements, such as testing, accessibility, internationalization, and documentation.

10.1.2. Enhancing Your Course with Additional Exercises and Tools

“Exercises and tools” is a general way to refer to the robust variety of content that you can integrate into an online course. Software developers use the XBlock component architecture to contribute new exercises and tools to the Open edX platform and provide new and varied options for reaching learners. Exercises enhance the core set of problem types by challenging learners to complete graded and ungraded assessments. Tools deliver a variety of other types of course content.

  • To use an exercise or tool in your course beyond the core set of problem types, you must explicitly enable that exercise or tool. For more information, see Enabling Additional Exercises and Tools.

  • After you enable an exercise or tool for use in your course, you might need to select Advanced, HTML, or Problem on the unit page to add content of that type to your course.

The topics in this section introduce the core set of problem types and a selection of other exercises and tools that you can add to your course.

10.1.3. Core Problem Types

The problem types that you can include in any course, without taking any other steps to identify or enable additional exercises or tools, are the core problem types. When you add a problem component in Studio, the core problem types are classified as either Common Problem Types or Advanced.

10.1.3.1. Common Problem Types

When you select any of the common problem types in Studio the simple editor opens.

  • If you choose the Blank Common Problem option, the editor opens without providing a template or example for you to follow You can begin to add text and markdown for required and optional problem elements immediately.

  • If you choose one of the following problem types, a template appears in the editor with guidance for adding all of that problem type’s required elements, as well as several optional elements.

Problem Type

Description

Support

Checkbox Problem

In checkbox problems, learners select one or more options from a list of possible answers. To answer the problem correctly, a learner must select all of the options that are correct answers, and none of the options that are incorrect.

Full support; mobile-ready

Dropdown Problem

In dropdown problems, learners choose one answer from a set of possible answers, which are presented in a dropdown list after the learner selects the dropdown arrow.

Full support; mobile-ready

Multiple Choice Problem

In multiple choice problems, learners select one answer from a set of possible answers, which are visible directly below the question.

Full support; mobile-ready

Numerical Input Problem

In numerical input problems, learners enter numbers or specific and relatively simple mathematical expressions to answer a question. These problems allow only integers and a few select constants. You can specify a margin of error, and you can specify a correct answer either explicitly or by using a Python script.

Full support; mobile-ready

Text Input Problem

In text input problems, learners enter text into a response field. The response can include numbers, letters, and special characters such as punctuation marks.

Full support; mobile-ready

By adding hints, feedback, or both, you can give learners guidance and help when they work on a problem. When you choose one of the following common problem types, a template provides additional guidance for these options. All of these problem types also have full support and are mobile-ready.

10.1.3.2. Advanced

When you select any of the advanced problem types in Studio the advanced editor opens.

  • If you choose the Blank Advanced Problem option, the editor opens without providing a template or example for you to follow. You can begin to add OLX markup and the text for required and optional problem elements immediately.

  • If you choose one of the following problem types, a template appears in the editor with guidance for adding all of that problem type’s required elements, as well as several optional elements.

Note

Some advanced problem types are unsupported and are not available in the list of problem types unless you enable a setting in Studio. For more information, see Unsupported Advanced Problem Types and Adding Unsupported Problem Types and Exercises.

Type

Description

Support

Custom JavaScript Display and Grading

Custom JavaScript display and grading problems (also called custom JavaScript problems or JS input problems) allow you to create a custom problem or tool that uses JavaScript and then add the problem or tool directly into Studio.

Full support

Write-Your-Own-Grader Problem

In custom Python-evaluated input (also called “write-your-own-grader”) problems, the grader uses a Python script that you create and embed in the problem to evaluate a learner’s response or provide hints. These problems can be any type.

Provisional support

Math Expression Input Problems

Learners enter mathematical expressions to answer a question. These problems can include unknown variables and more complex symbolic expressions. You can specify a correct answer either explicitly or by using a Python script.

Full support; mobile-ready

Open Response Assessment

Learners receive feedback on responses that they submit and give feedback to other course participants. Open response assessments include self assessment, peer assessment, and optionally, staff assessment.

Full support

10.1.3.2.1. Unsupported Advanced Problem Types

The following advanced problem types are not supported by edX. You can enable an option to make unsupported problem types available in Studio. For more information, see Adding Unsupported Problem Types and Exercises.

Type

Description

Support

Circuit Schematic Builder Problem

Learners arrange circuit elements such as voltage sources, capacitors, resistors, and MOSFETs on an interactive grid. They then submit a DC, AC, or transient analysis of their circuits to the system for grading.

Not supported

Drag and Drop Problem (Deprecated)

Learners respond to a question by dragging text or objects to a specific location on an image. This version of the drag and drop problem type is deprecated and should not be added to a course. For more information about the fully supported drag and drop problem type, see Drag and Drop Problem.

Not supported

Image Mapped Input Problem

Learners answer prompts by selecting a defined area in an image. You define the area by including coordinates in the body of the problem.

Not supported

Molecular Structure

Learners draw molecules that follow the rules for covalent bond formation and formal charge, even if the molecules are chemically impossible, are unstable, or do not exist in living systems.

Not supported

Problem with Adaptive Hint

A problem with an adaptive hint evaluates a learner’s response, then gives the learner feedback or a hint based on that response so that the learner is more likely to answer correctly on the next attempt. These problems can be text input or multiple choice problems.

Not supported

10.1.4. Additional Exercises and Tools

This table lists the fully or provisionally supported additional exercises and tools that you can add to your course.

Note

Some additional exercises and tools are not supported by edX. You can enable an option to make unsupported exercises and tools available in Studio. For more information, see Unsupported Additional Exercises and Tools and Adding Unsupported Problem Types and Exercises.

Note

In addition to the following exercises and tools, Open edX offers the Notes tool. The Notes tool allows learners to highlight and make notes about what they read in the course. This tool is not available for courses on edx.org.

Type

Description

Support

Calculator Tool

Learners can enter input that includes Greek letters, trigonometric functions, and scientific or e notation in addition to common operators. The calculator tool is available for every course through the course advanced settings. When the calculator tool is enabled, it appears on every unit page.

Provisional support

Conditional Module

You can create a conditional module to control versions of content that groups of learners see. For example, learners who answer “Yes” to a poll question then see a different block of text from the learners who answer “No” to that question.

Provisional support

Drag and Drop Problem

Learners respond to a question by dragging text or objects to a specific location on an image.

Full support; mobile-ready

External Grader

An external grader is a service that receives learner responses to a problem, processes those responses, and returns feedback and a problem grade to the edX platform. You build and deploy an external grader separately from the edX platform. An external grader is particularly useful for software programming courses where learners are asked to submit complex code.

Provisional support

Google Calendar Tool

Learners see a Google calendar embedded in your course. You can use a Google calendar to share quiz dates, office hours, or other schedules of interest to learners.

Provisional support

Google Drive Files Tool

Learners see a Google Drive file, such as a document, spreadsheet, or image, embedded in your course.

Provisional support

Iframe Tool

With the iframe tool, you can integrate ungraded exercises and tools from any Internet site into an HTML component in your course.

Provisional support

LTI Component

LTI components allow you to add an external learning application or non- PDF textbook to Studio.

Full support

Oppia Exploration Tool

You can embed Oppia explorations in your course so that learners can interact with them directly in the course body.

Provisional support

Peer Instruction Tool

This type of exercise offers the experience of the Peer Instruction learning system within your online course.

Full support

Poll Tool

You can include polls in your course to gather learners’ opinions on various questions. You can use the Poll Tool in Studio.

Full support

Qualtrics Survey Tool

You can import surveys that you have created in Qualtrics. The survey appears inside an iframe in your course.

Provisional support

Survey Tool

You can include surveys in your course to collect learner responses to multiple questions.

Full support

Word Cloud Tool

Word clouds arrange text that learners enter in response to a question into a colorful graphic.

Provisional support

10.1.4.1. Unsupported Additional Exercises and Tools

The following additional exercises and tools are not supported by edX. You can enable an option to make unsupported exercises and tools available in Studio. For more information, see Adding Unsupported Problem Types and Exercises.

Type

Description

Support

Annotation Problem

Learners respond to questions about a specific block of text. The question appears above the text so that learners can think about the question as they read.

Not supported

Chemical Equation Problem

Learners enter a value that represents a chemical equation into a text box. The grader uses Python script that you create and embed in the problem to evaluate learner responses.

Not supported

Completion Tool

Learners mark sections of course content as completed. This tool helps learners track their progress through sections of the course (including ungraded activities such as reading text, watching videos, or participating in course discussions), and gives them a way to indicate to both themselves and course staff that they completed an activity.

Not supported

Full Screen Image Tool

Learners can enlarge an image in the entire browser window. This tool is useful for detailed images that are easier to view when enlarged.

Not supported

Gene Explorer Tool

The gene explorer (GeneX) simulates the transcription, splicing, processing, and translation of a small hypothetical eukaryotic gene. Learners make specific mutations in a gene sequence, and this tool calculates and displays the effects of the mutations on the mRNA and protein.

Not supported

Multiple Choice and Numerical Input Problem

Learners not only choose one answer from a set of possible options, they are also prompted to provide more specific information, if necessary.

Not supported

Molecule Viewer Tool

Learners view three-dimensional representations of molecules that you create.

Not supported

Periodic Table Tool

An interactive periodic table of the elements that shows detailed information about each element when learners move the pointer over each element.

Not supported

Poll Tool for OLX

You can run polls in your course so that your learners can share opinions on different questions. You can only add this type of poll to a course by using OLX (open learning XML). Support for this tool in Studio is not available. For more information, see the EdX Open Learning XML Guide.

Not supported

Problem Written in LaTeX

If you have a problem that is already written in LaTeX, you can use this problem type to convert your code into XML.

Not supported

Protex Protein Builder Tool

Learners create specified protein shapes by stringing together amino acids.

Not supported

Recommender Tool

RecommenderXBlock can hold a list of resources for misconception remediation, additional reading, and so on. This tool allows the course team and learners to work together to maintain the list of resources. For example, team members and learners can suggest new resources, vote for useful ones, or flag abuse and spam.

Not supported

Zooming Image Tool

Learners can view sections of an image in detail. You specify the sections in an image that can be enlarged.

Not supported

10.1.5. Mobile-Ready Problem Types

Learners can read and submit answers for the following types of problems while they use the edX mobile app.

Questions that have other problem types do not appear in the edX mobile app. Instead, a message appears with a link to open the applicable problem component in a web browser.

10.1.6. Adding Unsupported Problem Types and Exercises

Note

These instructions are applicable only to edx.org.

In general, you should use only problem types and exercises that are either fully or provisionally supported by edX. By default, only supported problem types and exercises are available in Studio for adding to courses.

However, in some situations, you might choose to use exercises and problem types that edX does not support.

To add unsupported problem types, exercises, and tools to your course, follow these steps.

  1. In Studio, select Settings, then Advanced Settings.

  2. Locate the Add Unsupported Problems and Tools field, and enter a value of true.

  3. Select Save Changes.

After you enable this setting, unsupported problem types, exercises, and tools are available in the lists of new components that you can add to your course in Studio.