Agenda for Open edX Biz Dev Meeting

Meeting Details:
Open edX WG-BizDev
Wednesday, 20. August · 17:00 to 18:00
Timezone: Europe/Berlin
Meeting Link: https://meet.google.com/xxd-cntx-mjv
Bring your creativity and energy - let’s make it count!

Please review this agenda, prepare in advance, and contribute your ideas beforehand.

Also refer to the meeting notes from previous BizDev meetup - https://openedx.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/COMM/pages/5104795651

Objectives for Today:

Discussion on the post - https://discuss.openedx.org/t/how-open-edx-can-compete-and-win-against-moodle-blackboard-in-the-global-lms-market/16753
Alignment and Updates from https://openedx.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/COMM/pages/5085364228
- Representative: @Santiago Suarez
Alignment and Updates from https://openedx.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/COMM/pages/4711514127 ’S
- Representatives: @Poonam Singh and @Pankaj Bhatia
Recaping the https://openedx.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/COMM/pages/4566810643 activities
- Representatives: @Eden Huthmacher
Alignment and Updates with https://openedx.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/COMM/pages/4567662620
- Representative: @Natalia Vynogradenko & @Esteban Etcheverry
Alignment and Updates with https://openedx.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/COMM/pages/4567466000
- Representative: @Ayaz Quraishi
Alignment and Updates with https://openedx.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/COMM/pages/4567662610
- Representative: @Vineet Manuja

Meeting Notes:

Facilitator: @Eden Huthmacher

Attendees: @Abdul Ahad, @Jaimin Pavashiya, @Angie Ruíz, @Eden Huthmacher, Giulio Caratelli, @Jorge Londoño, @Juan Camilo Montoya, @Mahnoor Sarwat, @Marco Morales, @Nadheem Abdulla, @Natalia Vynogradenko, @Omar Al-Ithawi, @Tahir Latif

Date: 20.08.2025

Meeting Recording, Chat, and Transcript

Recording : https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RRkiSgbjTqI6Qei1Fs6DP1HuF1BGA5Tl/view?usp=drive_link

Chat : https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hWvafiFceW3zXr77_Vt1DfcZzOJbSoRH/view?usp=drive_link

Transcript : https://drive.google.com/file/d/16UzoxaZZWgk1EtbUseG-axmv9GS1HVj_QhnkJDE4CRE/view?usp=drive_link

Meeting Highlights

1. Competitiveness of Open edX vs. Other LMS

Introduced discussion based on a recent slack channel post about Open edX’s competitive positioning against Moodle, Blackboard, and Canvas.
@Eden Huthmacherexplained context: post originated from @Nadheem Abdulla (via Ali from Saudi Arabia’s requested RFP).
@Nadheem Abdulla provided background:
- Saudi Arabia issued a national RFP for LMS solutions.
- The RFP evaluated Open edX but considered Canvas more suitable due to missing features.
- Highlighted gaps in Open edX limiting adoption for university projects.
@Omar Al-Ithawi added:
- Recalled 2024 Stellenbosch conference discussions about hybrid learning support.
- Identified missing features: classroom awareness, instructor-student chat, attendance tracking, staff-graded assignments as core features.
- Costs escalate when building these features project-by-project. Suggested addressing centrally.
- Translation quality noted as strong, though with room for improvement.
@Marco Morales Feedback:
- Importance of breaking down feedback into actionable proposals.
- Cost of missing features is hard to measure; example: notifications feature took years to justify but is now essential.
- @Eden Huthmacher emphasized need to channel discussions into the feature request process with Product WG.
- Marco confirmed about a dozen feature requests submitted since new process started.
- Recommended subdividing large feedback items into smaller, categorized requests.

2. Leveraging the Core Platform & Extensibility

@Nadheem Abdulla suggested:
- Keep the core kernel strong and extensible.
- Enable building specialized solutions (corporate training, K-12, workforce development) on top of it.
@Eden Huthmacher highlighted:
- G2M report shows Open edX competitive advantage in non-credit & workforce development.
- But extensibility needs significant improvement.
- Example: K-12 asynchronous training in India - Open edX could serve similar niches if core extensibility is improved.

3. Group Updateshttps://openedx.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/COMM/pages/5085364228

@Juan Camilo Montoya added:
- Small meeting (4-5 people, incl. Elizabeth from ASU, Santiago, Felipe, Juan).
- Felipe presented proof-of-concept accessibility framework for AI extensions.
- Progress is steady but slow; balance needed between urgency of customer demand and careful, robust development.
@Jaimin Pavashiya shared:
- A new page “https://openedx.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/COMM/pages/5145886731 ” was created to list projects/ideas.
- Invited providers to share initiatives or join AI WG meetings.

4. Marketplace & Discoverability of Extensions

@Juan Camilo Montoya raised concern:
- Current discoverability of extensions is poor.
- Shared prototype of categorized, user-friendly marketplace interface.
- Taxonomy: Platform modules, third-party integrations, native courseware components, third-party courseware tools.
- Emphasized need for intuitive navigation for non-technical stakeholders (e.g., government officials, NGOs).
@Eden Huthmacher & @Mahnoor Sarwat explained:
- Edly’s Tutor Deck system currently pulls metadata from GitHub to WordPress.
- Plan: transfer to Open edX repo → create official marketplace.
- Will include categorization and filters in metadata for improved navigation.
@Omar Al-Ithawi suggested:
- Include icons, screenshots, pricing metadata.
- Highlight missing dimension: paid plugins.
@Juan Camilo Montoya cautioned:
- Against over-reliance on WordPress (limits future enhancements like ratings, payments, comments).
- Recommended independent service.
@Eden Huthmacher countered:
- WordPress integration offers quick implementation.
- Ratings/comments could be phase two features.
@Tahir Latif reminded:
- Past community discussions (e.g., Paris) showed concerns with rating systems (fairness, bias).
- Suggested focusing on discovery first, ratings later.
Consensus:
- Phase 1: Build marketplace with categories & metadata.
- Phase 2: Explore enhancements (ratings, payments, advanced UX).
- Ensure multi-stakeholder ownership, not concentrated under Edly.

5. Closing

@Eden Huthmacher emphasized:
- No final decisions yet. Community feedback will shape marketplace direction.
- Encouraged ongoing contributions via Slack or email.

Key Takeaways

Competitiveness: Open edX still struggles against Canvas, Moodle, Blackboard in hybrid/university market; requires addressing missing core features.
Extensibility Vision: Strengthen kernel and build modular solutions for various sectors.
AI Efforts: Ongoing proof-of-concepts; balancing urgency with careful design.
Extensions Marketplace: Consensus to improve discoverability, categorization, and user experience. Quick solution with WordPress, but long-term may need independent service.

2025-08-20 BizDev WG Meeting