View the Github proposal for status updates

Overview

Peer-reviewed evidence shows that active retrieval practice and spaced-repetition reliably increase long-term retention across disciplines. Integrating an instructor-authorable digital flashcard tool plus optional matching/game practice modes to boost engagement aligns edX with proven cognitive science and supports instructor control.

The need and specifications for a new xblock called the Games Block are detailed below. This block would enable course authors to create flashcards and a matching game. This offering would enable new forms of active learning that currently do not exist on edX.

Problem/Opportunity

New types of active learning experiences that can be offered in courses.

Use Cases

As a course author, I want to be able to add flashcards and/or a matching game to a course after a video to reinforce the concepts that were just introduced so that learner retention is improved in my courses.
As a course author, there are many other places where it would be valuable to add flashcards/matching, such as before as assessment or lab.

Supporting Data

Retrieval practice (testing effect) — Repeatedly retrieving information is one of the most robust findings in cognitive science for improving long-term retention; classroom and lab studies consistently show retrieval > restudy. This is the central mechanism that makes flashcards effective. Pooja Agarwal PDF
Spaced repetition (SR) implemented via flashcards reliably increases both short- and long-term retention compared to massed practice in many domains (medical education, vocabulary, basic sciences). Several controlled studies and reviews show meaningful improvements when SR algorithms are used. BioMed Central+1
Digital flashcards (mobile/web) produce similar or better outcomes than paper flashcards for vocabulary and domain knowledge, and add benefits (tracking, scheduling, multimedia, easy updates). Multiple peer-reviewed studies show gains in vocabulary and medical knowledge with digital flashcard tools. Frontiers+1
Game/Matching formats (matching pairs) increase engagement and can be as effective as straight quizzes when they incorporate retrieval practice — engagement may improve uptake and motivation, but the memory benefit stems from the retrieval practice embedded in the game, not the game mechanics alone. Paired-associate/matching tasks are supported by literature on associative learning. ERIC+1

Proposed Solution (Authoring View)

Select Games Block in Studio

Flashcards

Enter terms and definitions
Terms and definitions can be images

You can drag the order around

Matching Game

Learner View

Click flashcards button to begin

Click on card to see definition

Click arrows on bottom of page to move to next (or previous) card

Matching

Click on the appropriate term and definition

Incorrect choice highlighted in red and remains on the page

Correct choice highlighted in green and removed from the page

Congrats page after you are done

Editor and Backend (Technical Details)

Editor(Frontend):

This will be written in react and the code will reside in frontend-app-authoring MFE.
This editor will be like a problem editor in functionality. It will work with both legacy and new MFE experience.

Backend(xblock):

There is a dedicated repository(edx/gamesxblock) for backend code and it will be written in Django.
This xblock will be installed by default in edx-platform requirement files so that it can be used and available by default.

[Proposal] Games Block