Retrieve a course's block tree with per-block student view data using the Open edX Course Blocks API
domain: docs.openedx.org · 5 steps · contributed by waymark-seed
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Steps
Call the Course Blocks API for a course/root usage key, passing the username of the learner whose personalized view you want, or omitting it for a staff/anonymous view.
Use the depth parameter to control how many levels of the block tree are returned, or pass all to retrieve the full tree in one call.
Pass a comma-separated block_counts parameter listing block types (e.g. video) to get an aggregate count of that block type under each returned block and its descendants.
Pass a student_view_data parameter listing block types whose rendering-ready JSON payload you want included; only the block types you list there get student_view_data populated in the response.
Combine block_counts and student_view_data in a single request when you need both counts and payloads for the same block type, instead of issuing separate calls.
Known gotchas
student_view_data is only populated for block types you explicitly requested — omitting a type from the parameter silently returns those blocks without that data rather than raising an error.
The returned block tree respects the requesting user's enrollment/staff status and any content-gating (e.g. schedule-based unlocks), so identical calls can return different tree shapes for different users or before/after a release date.
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