---
title: "Adding Content Components"
description: "Add Text, Video, Problem, Open Response and Drag and Drop components to a unit, arrange them in order, and publish your changes to learners."
source: "https://docs.blend-ed.com/product/course-creation/adding-content-components/"
---

# Adding Content Components

Components are the actual content inside a Unit — the text, videos, and activities your learners see. A Unit can hold one component or several, stacked in the order you arrange them.

This article covers the five core component types: **Text**, **Video**, **Problem**, **Open Response**, and **Drag and Drop**.

## Before you start
You’ll need a Unit to add components to. If you haven’t built your course structure yet, see [How to Create a Course (Manual)](/product/course-creation/how-to-create-a-course-manual/).

## Adding a component
The first three steps are the same for every component type:

1. Open the Unit you want to add content to.
2. Click **+ Add component**.

![Adding Content Components screenshot 15](/_astro/imagef.DNpfRQqP_2uza21.webp)

1. In the **Add a Component** window, choose a type under **Core Components** , then click **Add component** .

![Add a Component modal showing the six Core Component cards](/_astro/image10.CGJMNPhV_Z28mpJ4.webp)

| **Component** | **What it’s for** |
| --- | --- |
| Text | Rich text, headings, lists, images |
| Video | YouTube, uploaded file, or URL |
| Problem | Graded questions with auto-grading |
| Open Response | Long-form answers with peer or staff grading |
| Drag and Drop | Interactive draggable-item activity |
| Advanced | LTI, IFrame, Announcement, Raw HTML, and more |

The same window also has a **Reuse existing content** section (Problem Bank, Library Content, Legacy Library) for pulling in content you’ve already built. See [Using the Library](/product/course-creation/using-the-library/).

## Text
Use Text for written content: explanations, instructions, headings, lists, and inline images.

1. Choose **Text** and click **Add component**.
2. Choose a template from the list, then click **Select**. Most of the time you want the default **Text** option.
3. Write your content in the editor.
4. Click **Save**.

![Text editor with toolbar and sample content](/_astro/image11.BjAH5JNj_yVf4Y.webp)

**The editor toolbar**

Block format (Paragraph, headings), bold, italic, underline, text colour, highlight colour, alignment, bulleted and numbered lists, indent and outdent, insert image, insert and remove link, blockquote, and source code view (<>). The **⋯** button reveals additional tools.

**Text templates**

Beyond the default, the template list includes **Anonymous User ID**, **Zooming Image Tool**, **IFrame Tool**, **Raw HTML**, and **Announcement**. These are specialised layouts built on the same Text component.

*Note: IFrame Tool, Raw HTML, and Announcement also appear under the Advanced component. They’re the same thing reached two ways. Adding them through Text is the simpler route.*

## Video
Use Video for recorded lessons, whether hosted on Blend-ed or embedded from elsewhere.

1. Choose **Video** and click **Add component**.
2. Add your video using one of three methods: 1. **Select a video from library** — browse or search videos already uploaded to your course. Click one to select it.
2. **Upload video** — upload a new file from your computer.
3. **Video URL** — paste a link (for example, a YouTube URL).
3. Click **Save**.

![Video component editor showing Video ID, library and upload buttons, and Video URL field](/_astro/image12.DAOjCYJx_2dRHFl.webp)

Once a video is attached you’ll see a preview at the top of the editor, with **‹ Replace video** to swap it out. The fields move into a collapsible **Video source** section.

**Additional settings**

- **Allow video downloads** — lets learners download the video file.
- **Fallback videos** — additional URLs in other formats. Providing both .mp4 and .webm helps ensure every learner can play the video.
- **Transcripts** — click **+ Add a transcript** to upload an .srt file. Transcripts improve accessibility and let learners search the video.
- **Duration** — set a start and end time to play only part of a longer video.

*Tip: Add a transcript to every video. It’s the single biggest accessibility improvement you can make, and it lets learners find content by searching for a phrase.*

## Problem
Use Problem for auto-graded questions.

1. Choose **Problem** and click **Add component**.
2. In **Select problem type**, pick a type from the list. The panel on the right previews it. Click **Select**.
3. Build the question and click **Save**.

![Select problem type modal with Single select highlighted and preview panel](/_astro/image13.Bd0rY42E_Z1H6QwK.webp)

**Problem types**

| **Type** | **Behaviour** |
| --- | --- |
| Single select | Learners choose one correct answer from a list |
| Multi-select | Learners choose all correct answers from a list |
| Dropdown | Learners choose the correct answer from a dropdown |
| Numerical input | Learners type a number; accepts one or more correct values |
| Text input | Learners type text; accepts one or more correct answers |

**Building the question**

- **Question** — the question text. Formatting works the same as the Text editor.
- **Explanation** — shown to learners after they answer, explaining why the correct answer is correct.
- **Answers** — enter each option and mark the correct one. Use the trash icon to remove an option and **+ Add answer** to add more.

![Single select editor with question, explanation, and three answer options](/_astro/image14.ChyNU1w3_Z1UOAhD.webp)

![Single select editor with question, explanation, and three answer options](/_astro/image15.6T1z-4jK_P1CUT.webp)

**Settings panel (right side)**

- **Type** — change the problem type.
- **Scoring** — points awarded and number of attempts allowed. Defaults to 1 point and unlimited attempts.
- **Hints** — click **+ Add hint** to give learners optional nudges.

Click **Show advanced settings** for:

- **Show answer** — when learners can see the correct answer. Default is *Finished*.
- **Show reset option** — whether a Reset button appears so learners can retry. Useful for practice questions.
- **Time between attempts** — a delay in seconds before a learner can try again.

**Advanced problem types**

Click **+ Advanced problem types** in the problem type list for Blank problem, Custom JavaScript display and grading, and Math expression input. Some entries are marked *Not supported* or *Provisional* and are best avoided unless you know you need them.

*Note: A saved problem shows “0 points possible (ungraded)” until the Subsection it sits in is assigned a grading type. See [Setting Up Grading](/product/course-creation/setting-up-grading/).*

## Open Response
Use Open Response for questions that need a written answer or an uploaded file rather than a selected option — essays, reflections, project submissions. Because the answer can’t be auto-graded, you decide who grades it.

1. Choose **Open Response** and click **Add component**.
2. Write the **prompt** — the question or task learners respond to.
3. Choose what learners submit: text, file upload, or both.
4. Build the **rubric** — the criteria you’re grading against. Each criterion gets a set of options with point values and short descriptions, so graders pick a level rather than inventing a score.
5. Choose the **assessment steps**: 1. **Peer assessment** — learners grade each other’s work against your rubric.
2. **Self assessment** — learners grade their own work.
3. **Staff assessment** — you or your course team grade every submission.
6. Set dates for the submission and each assessment step.
7. Click **Save**.

![Open Response editor — needs capture](/_astro/image16.zcYCQvea_ZsyWda.webp)

![Open Response editor — needs capture](/_astro/image17.AihzDNmN_1ee349.webp)

*Tip: Peer assessment scales without adding work for you, but it needs enough learners submitting around the same time to function. For small cohorts or high-stakes work, use staff assessment.*

## Drag and Drop
Use Drag and Drop for activities where learners place items onto a target image — labelling a diagram, sorting items into categories, sequencing steps.

1. Choose **Drag and Drop** and click **Add component**.
2. Upload a **background image** — the diagram or layout learners drag onto.
3. Define **drop zones** on the background: position and size each one, and give it a label.
4. Create the **draggable items**, either text or image, and assign each to the zone or zones where it belongs.
5. Add **feedback** shown for correct and incorrect placements.
6. Set the maximum score and number of attempts.
7. Click **Save**.

![Drag and Drop editor — needs capture](/_astro/image18.C4lU2IZy_Zn706d.webp)

![Drag and Drop editor — needs capture](/_astro/image19.DqFuL0wr_bPWdE.webp)

![Drag and Drop editor — needs capture](/_astro/image1a.DfE9dJ2u_ZAf2Jz.webp)

*Tip: Keep the background image simple and make drop zones generous. Zones that are too small are frustrating on touchscreens.*

## Managing components in a Unit
Each saved component appears as a card in the Unit, with a live preview of what learners will see.

![Unit with saved Text and Problem components](/_astro/image1b.BH3AOhXX_1PoDXG.webp)

- **Pencil icon** — reopen the editor.
- **⋮ menu** — manage access,copy to clipboard,duplicate, manage tags, or delete.
- **Drag handle** — reorder components within the Unit.

Add as many components to a Unit as you need. A common pattern is a Text component to introduce a topic, a Video to teach it, and a Problem to check understanding.

## Publishing your changes
New and edited components are saved as drafts. Learners don’t see them until you publish.

- **Publish Unit** in the Unit sidebar publishes that Unit.
- **Publish Changes** on the Course Outline page publishes everything outstanding.

The sidebar shows the draft status and how many unpublished changes are waiting.

![Adding Content Components screenshot 28](/_astro/image1c.CuDT66Nt_2wSMSM.webp)

![Adding Content Components screenshot 29](/_astro/image1d.C5lZ34-C_WGOnv.webp)

## What’s next
- Embed richer content: [Enhancing Your Course with Advanced Content](/product/course-creation/enhancing-your-course-with-advanced-content/)
- Reuse content you’ve already built: [Using the Library](/product/course-creation/using-the-library/)
- Make your questions count toward a grade: [Setting Up Grading](/product/course-creation/setting-up-grading/)