Drag, drop, repeat. Sorting activity blocks give learners a hands-on way to sort items into categories and see right away whether they’re on track.

Sorting activities are ungraded. Learners get immediate feedback as they sort: correct matches show a check mark and then disappear, incorrect matches briefly shake and return to the starting position for the learner to try again, and a final score shows how many items were correct on the first try. 

Here’s how to set up and customize a sorting activity block:

1. Insert a Sorting Activity Block
2. Add and Edit Categories and Items
3. Modify the Block Settings
4. Support Accessibility

You can also create sorting activity blocks with AI Assistant. Start from scratch or use AI-generated suggestions to transform existing content into a sorting activity block. Learn how to use AI Assistant.

Insert a Sorting Activity Block

1. Open a Rise 360 course. 

2. Edit an existing block lesson or create a new one.

3. Select Sorting from the blocks shortcut bar.

OR

4. Select All Blocks from the blocks shortcut bar or click the insert block icon that appears when you mouse over a boundary between blocks.

5. In the sidebar, choose Interactive from the block library.

6. Select Sorting activity.

Add and Edit Categories and Items

You can include up to four categories and an unlimited number of items in each category.

1. Hover over the block to access the left-hand design toolbar. Click the Content icon.

2. Update the title of each sample category.

3. Edit the text of each sample item. Items are text-only (no images), and each item can have up to 80 characters. Learn more about character limits.

4. Click Add an Item to add more items within a category.

5. Click New Category to add another category.

6. To delete a category or item, hover over it and click the trash icon.

7. Click Close in the upper right corner of the edit panel to return to your lesson.

Modify the Block Settings

1. Hover over the block to access the left-hand design toolbar. 

2. Click the Style icon to adjust block background options. You can keep cards white when you modify the block background. 

3. Use the Format menu to adjust padding.

Tip: Add a continue block after the sorting activity if you want learners to complete it before moving on.  

Support Accessibility

Sorting activity blocks support use across mobile devices, keyboards, and screen readers. These enhancements help support people with a wide range of abilities, while keeping the overall experience consistent for everyone. 

Support Mouse Interaction

Sorting activities continue to support standard mouse-based drag-and-drop. In addition, learners can now select a category by clicking it instead of dragging and holding a card. This option supports people who may find drag-and-drop interactions difficult or uncomfortable due to limited hand mobility or dexterity.

Support Touch Interaction

On mobile devices, learners can select categories by tapping. This provides an alternative to drag-and-drop and supports people who may find dragging gestures difficult or tiring.

Support Keyboard Interaction

Keyboard users don’t move the card itself. Instead, they interact with the category buttons.

• Press Tab to move between interactive elements (the categories).

• When a category is focused, use the Left and Right Arrow keys to move between categories.

• Press Enter or Space to select a category for the current item.

Learners can complete the entire activity using only a keyboard.

Support Screen Readers

Screen reader support builds on the keyboard experience with clear labels and announcements:

• The current card is announced as the “Current Item.”

• The category list, labeled “Categories,” includes the current item so learners know what they’re sorting.

• When a selection is incorrect, the screen reader announces: “Incorrect. Please select another category.”

• When a selection is correct, the screen reader announces: “Correct: {sorted card},” followed by “Next item: {current card}.” This lets learners know what to sort next without needing to move focus.

• When the interaction ends, focus automatically moves to the Retry button, and the “x/x Card Correct” progress label is announced.

• Once the activity is complete, the category list label changes to “Interaction Completed,” indicating that the category buttons are disabled.

Provide Clear Instructions

Include clear, visible instructions that explain how to complete the sorting activity. Clear instructions support people with cognitive disabilities and anyone who may be new to this type of interaction.

Instructions are not announced automatically. This approach keeps the experience consistent for everyone and avoids long audio announcements that can increase cognitive load or be difficult to retain.

For more accessibility design tips or resources, see:

• Rise 360: Designing an Accessible Course

• Accessibility Index