Guide to 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 Simple Problem Types or Advanced.
Simple Problem Types#
When you create a problem in Studio, the editor opens with options for the following problem types. When you select any of the simple problem types, the simple editor opens.
Problem Type |
Description |
Support |
|---|---|---|
In single select problems, learners select one answer from a set of possible answers, which are visible directly below the question. |
Full support; mobile-ready |
|
In multi-select 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 |
|
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 |
|
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 |
|
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 simple problem types, the editor interface provides additional guidance and text fields for entering these options. All of these problem types also have full support and are mobile-ready.
Advanced Problem Types#
If none of the simple problem types fit what you need, the editor’s problem type select page has an option for Advanced problem types. Selecting this option will bring you to a list of advanced problems. When you select any of the advanced problem types, 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 Add Unsupported Problem Types and Exercises.
Type |
Description |
Support |
|---|---|---|
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 |
|
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 |
|
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 |
Unsupported Advanced Problem Types#
The following advanced problem types are not supported by the Open edX Platform. You can enable an option to make unsupported problem types available in Studio. For more information, see Add Unsupported Problem Types and Exercises.
Type |
Description |
Support |
|---|---|---|
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 |
|
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 |
|
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 single select problems. |
Not supported |
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 the Open edX Platform. You can enable an option to make unsupported exercises and tools available in Studio. For more information, see Unsupported Additional Exercises and Tools and Add Unsupported Problem Types and Exercises.
Note
In addition to the following exercises and tools, the Open edX platform offers the Notes tool. The Notes tool allows learners to highlight and make notes about what they read in the course. T
Type |
Description |
Support |
|---|---|---|
Learners can enter input that includes Greek letters, trigonometric
functions, and scientific or |
Provisional support |
|
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 |
|
Learners respond to a question by dragging text or objects to a specific location on an image. |
Full support; mobile-ready |
|
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 About the Drag and Drop Problem. |
Not supported |
|
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 Open edX platform. You build and deploy an external grader separately from the Open edX platform. An external grader is particularly useful for software programming courses where learners are asked to submit complex code. |
Provisional support |
|
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 |
|
Learners see a Google Drive file, such as a document, spreadsheet, or image, embedded in your course. |
Provisional support |
|
With the iframe tool, you can integrate ungraded exercises and tools from any Internet site into a Text component in your course. |
Provisional support |
|
LTI components allow you to add an external learning application or non- PDF textbook to Studio. |
Full support |
|
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 |
|
You can embed Oppia explorations in your course so that learners can interact with them directly in the course body. |
Provisional support |
|
This type of exercise offers the experience of the Peer Instruction learning system within your online course. |
Full support |
|
You can include polls in your course to gather learners’ opinions on various questions. You can use the Poll Tool in Studio. |
Full support |
|
You can include surveys in your course to collect learner responses to multiple questions. |
Full support |
|
Word clouds arrange text that learners enter in response to a question into a colorful graphic. |
Provisional support |
Unsupported Additional Exercises and Tools#
The following additional exercises and tools are not supported by the Open edX Platform. You can enable an option to make unsupported exercises and tools available in Studio. For more information, see Add Unsupported Problem Types and Exercises.
Type |
Description |
Support |
|---|---|---|
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 |
|
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 |
|
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 |
|
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 |
|
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 |
|
An interactive periodic table of the elements that shows detailed information about each element when learners move the pointer over each element. |
Not supported |
|
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 Set Up Group Configuration for OLX Courses. |
Not supported |
|
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 |
|
Learners create specified protein shapes by stringing together amino acids. |
Not supported |
|
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 |
|
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 |
|
Learners can view sections of an image in detail. You specify the sections in an image that can be enlarged. |
Not supported |
Mobile-Ready Problem Types#
Learners can read and submit answers for the following types of problems while they use the Open edX v2 Android and iOS mobile apps.
Questions that have other problem types do not appear in the Open edX mobile app. Instead, a message appears with a link to open the applicable problem component in a web browser.
See also
About Problems, Exercises, and Tools (concept)
Working with Problem Components (reference)
Guide to Problem Settings (reference)
Gradebook Assignment Types (reference)
Best Practices for Providing Feedback (concept)
Adding Feedback and Hints to a Problem (reference)
Configure a Hint in a Problem (how-to)
Awarding Partial Credit for a Problem (reference)
Set the Assignment Type and Due Date for a Subsection (how-to)
Adding Tooltips to a Problem (reference)
The Learner View of a Problem (reference)
The Advanced Editor (reference)
Add Hints via the Advanced Editor (how-to)
Modifying a Released Problem (reference)
Maintenance chart
Review Date |
Working Group Reviewer |
Release |
Test situation |
2025-03-05 |
Sarina Canelake |
Sumac |
Pass - “mobile-ready” section only |