In this article, we'll share some examples of Catalogues, Courses, and Categories. We'll show how they relate, and how they're used to deliver targeted optional learning to the right people. We'll also explain how Catalogues are assigned to Users.
If you're new to Learn, take a look at the Learn: terminology explained' article for a definition of all the key system areas.
How optional learning is shared with learners
Optional learning is added to Catalogues - think of Catalogues as a brochure. Catalogues are then assigned to Groups and less commonly, to individual Users.
When a Catalogue is assigned to a Group, all members of the Group can see the Catalogue and browse the Courses assigned to it. Group members can be automatically added to Groups by the People-data feed, and by Group rules - created and managed by administrators.
Examples of Catalogues, Courses, and Categories
We've listed below some examples of Catalogues we've seen customers use, along with the Courses that might be assigned, and the Category - broadly, the subject area - for each of those Courses.
Catalogue titled 'Management skills'
This Catalogue could be assigned to a Group containing all line managers. You may have Groups for aspiring managers, senior managers, and all managers. In each case, Catalogues containing Courses appropriate to each audience can be assigned to each Group.
Examples of Courses and Course categories might be:
Course |
Category |
| GDPR for Managers | Compliance |
| Health and Safety for Managers | Health and Safety |
| Coaching Skills | Coaching |
| Managing Conflict | Team Dynamics |
| Managing remote teams | Business Skills |
| Improving Group Dynamics | Leadership |
| Menopause Awareness | Wellbeing |
Catalogue titled 'Leadership and aspiring managers'
This Catalogue could be assigned to a Group containing all employees. Examples of Courses and Course categories might be:
Course |
Category |
| Coaching Skills | Coaching |
| Managing Conflict | Team Dynamics |
| Improving Group Dynamics | Leadership |
Catalogue 'My Job - customer service'
In practice multiple catalogues with the title 'My Job' but with code of e.g. My Job - Customer Service
Or similar structure based on departmental learning, Examples of Courses and Course categories might be:
Course |
Category |
| Health and Safety in the Office | Health and Safety |
| GDPR Essentials | Compliance |
| Customer Service Essentials | Customer Service |
| Angry Customers | Customer Service |
| Satisfying Challenging Customers | Customer Service |
| Avoiding Burnout | Wellbeing |
Catalogue titled 'Project management'
This Catalogue could be assigned to a Group containing all employees. Examples of Courses and Course categories might be:
Course |
Category |
| Improving Group Dynamics | Leadership |
| Presenting Skills | Business Skills |
| Completing Projects | Project management |
Catalogue titled 'technical skills'
This could be a catalogue of learning related to particular areas of specialism in the organisation that might not apply to a specific team/department only. Examples of Courses and Course categories might be:
Course |
Category |
| Technical course A | Technical Skills |
| Technical course B | Technical Skills |
| Technical course C | Technical Skills |
| Technical course D | Technical Skills |
Catalogue titled 'Whats new'
Customers often have a 'What's new' Catalogue to highlight new content to the organisation (note that it's also possible to promote a Course on the Learn home page).
When using a 'Whats new' Catalogue, it's important to make sure you keep the content fresh. If new Courses don't appear, then learners will be less likely to pay attention.
A tip for you here - put a space at the beginning of the catalogue title and it will appear first in the list. Catalogues are ordered alphabetically, and special characters come first.
Course |
Category |
| New course A | Compliance |
| New course B | Customer Service |
| New course C | Wellbeing |
| New course D | Leadership |
| New course E | Technical Skills |
Get deeper learning in The Academy
In 'The big picture: build and curate learning' (10 min eLearning) we explore the different types of Lessons available in Learn and show how to build Courses with the perfect blend of learning. We'll also take a look at how to organise optional learning to inspire, engage, and make it easy for learners to find what they're looking for.
Understand the different Lesson types in Learn LMS, and how they can be organised into Courses
- Understand how Categories are used to make it easy for learners to find what they're looking for
- Have a strategy for planning out Catalogues in your Learn LMS