diff --git a/djangoapps/courseware/module_render.py b/djangoapps/courseware/module_render.py
index 278d19fd2c..ed3429d747 100644
--- a/djangoapps/courseware/module_render.py
+++ b/djangoapps/courseware/module_render.py
@@ -78,9 +78,8 @@ def grade_histogram(module_id):
         return []
     return grades
 
-def render_x_module(user, request, xml_module, module_object_preload):
-    ''' Generic module for extensions. This renders to HTML. '''
-    # Check if problem has an instance in DB
+
+def get_module(user, request, xml_module, module_object_preload):
     module_type=xml_module.tag
     module_class=courseware.modules.get_module_class(module_type)
     module_id=xml_module.get('id') #module_class.id_attribute) or "" 
@@ -128,6 +127,15 @@ def render_x_module(user, request, xml_module, module_object_preload):
         smod.save()
         module_object_preload.append(smod)
 
+    return smod
+
+def render_x_module(user, request, xml_module, module_object_preload):
+    ''' Generic module for extensions. This renders to HTML. '''
+    if module==None :
+        return {"content":""}
+
+    smod = get_module(user, request, xml_module, module_object_preload)
+
     # Grab content
     content = instance.get_html()
     init_js = instance.get_init_js()
@@ -153,6 +161,78 @@ def render_x_module(user, request, xml_module, module_object_preload):
 
 def render_module(user, request, module, module_object_preload):
     ''' Generic dispatch for internal modules. '''
-    if module==None :
-        return {"content":""}
     return render_x_module(user, request, module, module_object_preload)
+
+
+def modx_dispatch(request, module=None, dispatch=None, id=None):
+    ''' Generic view for extensions. '''
+    if not request.user.is_authenticated():
+        return redirect('/')
+
+    # Grab the student information for the module from the database
+    s = StudentModule.objects.filter(student=request.user, 
+                                     module_id=id)
+    #s = StudentModule.get_with_caching(request.user, id)
+    if len(s) == 0 or s is None:
+        log.debug("Couldnt find module for user and id " + str(module) + " " + str(request.user) + " "+ str(id))
+        raise Http404
+    s = s[0]
+
+    oldgrade = s.grade
+    oldstate = s.state
+
+    dispatch=dispatch.split('?')[0]
+
+    ajax_url = settings.MITX_ROOT_URL + '/modx/'+module+'/'+id+'/'
+
+    # get coursename if stored
+    coursename = multicourse_settings.get_coursename_from_request(request)
+
+    if coursename and settings.ENABLE_MULTICOURSE:
+        xp = multicourse_settings.get_course_xmlpath(coursename)	# path to XML for the course
+        data_root = settings.DATA_DIR + xp
+    else:
+        data_root = settings.DATA_DIR
+
+    # Grab the XML corresponding to the request from course.xml
+    try:
+        xml = content_parser.module_xml(request.user, module, 'id', id, coursename)
+    except:
+        log.exception("Unable to load module during ajax call")
+        if accepts(request, 'text/html'):
+            return render_to_response("module-error.html", {})
+        else:
+            response = HttpResponse(json.dumps({'success': "We're sorry, this module is temporarily unavailable. Our staff is working to fix it as soon as possible"}))
+        return response
+
+    # Create the module
+    system = I4xSystem(track_function = make_track_function(request), 
+                       render_function = None, 
+                       ajax_url = ajax_url,
+                       filestore = OSFS(data_root),
+                       )
+
+    try:
+        instance=courseware.modules.get_module_class(module)(system, 
+                                                             xml, 
+                                                             id, 
+                                                             state=oldstate)
+    except:
+        log.exception("Unable to load module instance during ajax call")
+        if accepts(request, 'text/html'):
+            return render_to_response("module-error.html", {})
+        else:
+            response = HttpResponse(json.dumps({'success': "We're sorry, this module is temporarily unavailable. Our staff is working to fix it as soon as possible"}))
+        return response
+
+    # Let the module handle the AJAX
+    ajax_return=instance.handle_ajax(dispatch, request.POST)
+    # Save the state back to the database
+    s.state=instance.get_state()
+    if instance.get_score(): 
+        s.grade=instance.get_score()['score']
+    if s.grade != oldgrade or s.state != oldstate:
+        s.save()
+    # Return whatever the module wanted to return to the client/caller
+    return HttpResponse(ajax_return)
+
diff --git a/djangoapps/courseware/modules/capa_module.py b/djangoapps/courseware/modules/capa_module.py
index 7d42cfb250..058b5f5454 100644
--- a/djangoapps/courseware/modules/capa_module.py
+++ b/djangoapps/courseware/modules/capa_module.py
@@ -31,6 +31,9 @@ class ComplexEncoder(json.JSONEncoder):
             return "{real:.7g}{imag:+.7g}*j".format(real = obj.real,imag = obj.imag)
         return json.JSONEncoder.default(self, obj)
 
+class ModuleDescriptor(XModuleDescriptor):
+    pass
+
 class Module(XModule):
     ''' Interface between capa_problem and x_module. Originally a hack
     meant to be refactored out, but it seems to be serving a useful
diff --git a/djangoapps/courseware/modules/html_module.py b/djangoapps/courseware/modules/html_module.py
index 77bcbb4bbc..3b62df0390 100644
--- a/djangoapps/courseware/modules/html_module.py
+++ b/djangoapps/courseware/modules/html_module.py
@@ -5,6 +5,9 @@ from mitxmako.shortcuts import render_to_response, render_to_string
 from x_module import XModule
 from lxml import etree
 
+class ModuleDescriptor(XModuleDescriptor):
+    pass
+
 class Module(XModule):
     id_attribute = 'filename'
 
diff --git a/djangoapps/courseware/modules/schematic_module.py b/djangoapps/courseware/modules/schematic_module.py
index 5fef265e01..1643737e4a 100644
--- a/djangoapps/courseware/modules/schematic_module.py
+++ b/djangoapps/courseware/modules/schematic_module.py
@@ -6,6 +6,9 @@ from mitxmako.shortcuts import render_to_response, render_to_string
 
 from x_module import XModule
 
+class ModuleDescriptor(XModuleDescriptor):
+    pass
+
 class Module(XModule):
     id_attribute = 'id'
 
diff --git a/djangoapps/courseware/modules/seq_module.py b/djangoapps/courseware/modules/seq_module.py
index af41d0e8da..42508295db 100644
--- a/djangoapps/courseware/modules/seq_module.py
+++ b/djangoapps/courseware/modules/seq_module.py
@@ -10,6 +10,9 @@ from x_module import XModule
 # OBSOLETE: This obsoletes 'type'
 class_priority = ['video', 'problem']
 
+class ModuleDescriptor(XModuleDescriptor):
+    pass
+
 class Module(XModule):
     ''' Layout module which lays out content in a temporal sequence
     '''
@@ -66,8 +69,7 @@ class Module(XModule):
         self.titles = json.dumps(["\n".join([i.get("name").strip() for i in e.iter() if i.get("name") != None]) \
                            for e in self.xmltree])
 
-        self.contents = [j(self.render_function(e)) \
-                             for e in self.xmltree]
+        self.contents = self.rendered_children(self)
 
         print self.titles
 
diff --git a/djangoapps/courseware/modules/template_module.py b/djangoapps/courseware/modules/template_module.py
index a8899f985c..c779691cc1 100644
--- a/djangoapps/courseware/modules/template_module.py
+++ b/djangoapps/courseware/modules/template_module.py
@@ -6,6 +6,9 @@ from mitxmako.shortcuts import render_to_response, render_to_string
 from x_module import XModule
 from lxml import etree
 
+class ModuleDescriptor(XModuleDescriptor):
+    pass
+
 class Module(XModule):
     def get_state(self):
         return json.dumps({ })
diff --git a/djangoapps/courseware/modules/vertical_module.py b/djangoapps/courseware/modules/vertical_module.py
index e57a58e33e..519ed755ea 100644
--- a/djangoapps/courseware/modules/vertical_module.py
+++ b/djangoapps/courseware/modules/vertical_module.py
@@ -5,6 +5,9 @@ from mitxmako.shortcuts import render_to_response, render_to_string
 from x_module import XModule
 from lxml import etree
 
+class ModuleDescriptor(XModuleDescriptor):
+    pass
+
 class Module(XModule):
     id_attribute = 'id'
 
diff --git a/djangoapps/courseware/modules/video_module.py b/djangoapps/courseware/modules/video_module.py
index c678838f2b..12136cf7f2 100644
--- a/djangoapps/courseware/modules/video_module.py
+++ b/djangoapps/courseware/modules/video_module.py
@@ -9,6 +9,9 @@ from x_module import XModule
 
 log = logging.getLogger("mitx.courseware.modules")
 
+class ModuleDescriptor(XModuleDescriptor):
+    pass
+
 class Module(XModule):
     id_attribute = 'youtube'
     video_time = 0
diff --git a/djangoapps/courseware/modules/x_module.py b/djangoapps/courseware/modules/x_module.py
index b475fd0280..ae6822da1d 100644
--- a/djangoapps/courseware/modules/x_module.py
+++ b/djangoapps/courseware/modules/x_module.py
@@ -24,6 +24,21 @@ class XModule(object):
             or a CAPA input type '''
         return ['xmodule']
 
+    def get_name():
+        name = self.__xmltree.get(name)
+        if name: 
+            return name
+        else: 
+            raise "We should iterate through children and find a default name"
+
+    def rendered_children(self):
+        '''
+        Render all children. 
+        This really ought to return a list of xmodules, instead of dictionaries
+        '''
+        children = [render_function(e) for e in self.__xmltree]
+        return children            
+
     def __init__(self, system = None, xml = None, item_id = None, 
                  json = None, track_url=None, state=None):
         ''' In most cases, you must pass state or xml'''
@@ -38,6 +53,8 @@ class XModule(object):
         self.json = json
         self.item_id = item_id
         self.state = state
+        
+        self.__xmltree = etree.fromstring(xml) # PRIVATE
 
         if system: 
             ## These are temporary; we really should go 
@@ -102,14 +119,24 @@ class XModule(object):
             get is a dictionary-like object ''' 
         return ""
 
-    ### Functions used in the CMS
+
+class XModuleDescriptor(object):
+    def __init__(self, xml = None, json = None):
+        if not xml and not json:
+            raise "XModuleDescriptor must be initalized with XML or JSON"
+        if not xml:
+            raise NotImplementedError("Code does not have support for JSON yet")
+        
+        self.xml = xml
+        self.json = json
+
     def get_xml(self):
         ''' For conversions between JSON and legacy XML representations.
         '''
         if self.xml: 
             return self.xml
         else: 
-            raise NotImplementedError
+            raise NotImplementedError("JSON->XML Translation not implemented")
 
     def get_json(self):
         ''' For conversions between JSON and legacy XML representations.
@@ -118,14 +145,14 @@ class XModule(object):
             raise NotImplementedError
             return self.json # TODO: Return context as well -- files, etc. 
         else: 
-            raise NotImplementedError
+            raise NotImplementedError("XML->JSON Translation not implemented")
 
-    def handle_cms_json(self):
-        raise NotImplementedError
+    #def handle_cms_json(self):
+    #    raise NotImplementedError
 
-    def render(self, size):
-        ''' Size: [thumbnail, small, full] 
-        Small ==> what we drag around
-        Full ==> what we edit
-        '''
-        raise NotImplementedError
+    #def render(self, size):
+    #    ''' Size: [thumbnail, small, full] 
+    #    Small ==> what we drag around
+    #    Full ==> what we edit
+    #    '''
+    #    raise NotImplementedError
diff --git a/djangoapps/courseware/views.py b/djangoapps/courseware/views.py
index 014f759ed1..228a33461b 100644
--- a/djangoapps/courseware/views.py
+++ b/djangoapps/courseware/views.py
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ from django.views.decorators.cache import cache_control
 
 from lxml import etree
 
-from module_render import render_module, make_track_function, I4xSystem
+from module_render import render_module, make_track_function, I4xSystem, modx_dispatch
 from models import StudentModule
 from student.models import UserProfile
 from util.views import accepts
@@ -237,78 +237,6 @@ def index(request, course=None, chapter="Using the System", section="Hints"):
     return result
 
 
-def modx_dispatch(request, module=None, dispatch=None, id=None):
-    ''' Generic view for extensions. '''
-    if not request.user.is_authenticated():
-        return redirect('/')
-
-    # Grab the student information for the module from the database
-    s = StudentModule.objects.filter(student=request.user, 
-                                     module_id=id)
-    #s = StudentModule.get_with_caching(request.user, id)
-    if len(s) == 0 or s is None:
-        log.debug("Couldnt find module for user and id " + str(module) + " " + str(request.user) + " "+ str(id))
-        raise Http404
-    s = s[0]
-
-    oldgrade = s.grade
-    oldstate = s.state
-
-    dispatch=dispatch.split('?')[0]
-
-    ajax_url = settings.MITX_ROOT_URL + '/modx/'+module+'/'+id+'/'
-
-    # get coursename if stored
-    coursename = multicourse_settings.get_coursename_from_request(request)
-
-    if coursename and settings.ENABLE_MULTICOURSE:
-        xp = multicourse_settings.get_course_xmlpath(coursename)	# path to XML for the course
-        data_root = settings.DATA_DIR + xp
-    else:
-        data_root = settings.DATA_DIR
-
-    # Grab the XML corresponding to the request from course.xml
-    try:
-        xml = content_parser.module_xml(request.user, module, 'id', id, coursename)
-    except:
-        log.exception("Unable to load module during ajax call")
-        if accepts(request, 'text/html'):
-            return render_to_response("module-error.html", {})
-        else:
-            response = HttpResponse(json.dumps({'success': "We're sorry, this module is temporarily unavailable. Our staff is working to fix it as soon as possible"}))
-        return response
-
-    # Create the module
-    system = I4xSystem(track_function = make_track_function(request), 
-                       render_function = None, 
-                       ajax_url = ajax_url,
-                       filestore = OSFS(data_root),
-                       )
-
-    try:
-        instance=courseware.modules.get_module_class(module)(system, 
-                                                             xml, 
-                                                             id, 
-                                                             state=oldstate)
-    except:
-        log.exception("Unable to load module instance during ajax call")
-        if accepts(request, 'text/html'):
-            return render_to_response("module-error.html", {})
-        else:
-            response = HttpResponse(json.dumps({'success': "We're sorry, this module is temporarily unavailable. Our staff is working to fix it as soon as possible"}))
-        return response
-
-    # Let the module handle the AJAX
-    ajax_return=instance.handle_ajax(dispatch, request.POST)
-    # Save the state back to the database
-    s.state=instance.get_state()
-    if instance.get_score(): 
-        s.grade=instance.get_score()['score']
-    if s.grade != oldgrade or s.state != oldstate:
-        s.save()
-    # Return whatever the module wanted to return to the client/caller
-    return HttpResponse(ajax_return)
-
 def quickedit(request, id=None):
     '''
     quick-edit capa problem.
diff --git a/run.sh b/run.sh
index d63ed291f0..0c65a4a72c 100755
--- a/run.sh
+++ b/run.sh
@@ -1 +1 @@
-django-admin.py runserver --settings=envs.dev --pythonpath=. 
+django-admin runserver --settings=envs.dev --pythonpath=.