There are several different ways to deliver learning content in Learn LMS. Each option provides a unique learner experience and is designed for a specific purpose - for example, whether learning is mandatory, requires periodic renewal, or is optional content that users can explore independently.
This article outlines each delivery method and explains when to use it, helping you choose the right approach for your learning requirements.
We'll cover:
Courses
A course is a collection of lessons - a way of grouping together different learning assets such as PDFs, SCORM packages, videos, or links to external content. Courses typically focus on a single topic or area of learning.
When to use it
Courses form the core of delivering content on the platform and will always be used. For the best learner experience, avoid adding too many lessons to a single course.
Think of a course as a focused learning unit designed around one purpose or theme; for example, Fire Safety, GDPR, or Mental Health Awareness.
Courses can also be reused and distributed through the other delivery methods outlined below.
View Build and Share learning 101 for an introduction to creating and sharing Courses. To understand more about Catalogues, Courses, and Categories, view How Catalogues, Courses, and Categories work together.
Catalogues
A Catalogue is a collection of courses and pathways grouped together under a common theme or topic area. It allows learners to browse and discover optional content that aligns with their interests or development goals.
Catalogues make it easy to organise learning opportunities around specific themes, initiatives, or campaigns; for example, Leadership Development, Wellbeing & Mental Health, or Learning at Work Week.
When to use it
Use catalogues when you want learning content to be discoverable rather than mandatory. They are ideal for promoting self-directed learning or supporting organisation-wide themes and initiatives, such as:
- Wellbeing and Mental Health - promote content on resilience, mindfulness, and stress management
- Leadership and Management - group courses that build leadership capability
- Learning at Work Week - create a temporary campaign to encourage exploration of new skills
- Digital Skills and Innovation - showcase optional content that supports digital transformation
- Career Development - provide learning to help employees grow in their roles
Learners can choose which courses to complete and in what order. There are no completion requirements, and not all content within a catalogue needs to be completed. This flexibility makes catalogues ideal for optional, discovery-based learning experiences.
View Build and Share learning 101 for an introduction to creating and sharing Courses. To understand more about Catalogues, Courses, and Categories, view How Catalogues, Courses, and Categories work together.
Playlists
A playlist is a learner-driven feature that allows employees to curate content in a personalised way. Learners can create playlists to save content for later, keep frequently referenced resources in one place, or organise learning around skills they want to develop.
When to use it
Playlists empower learners to manage their own learning journey. They are ideal for:
- Saving content to complete at a convenient time
- Keeping key reference materials easily accessible
- Organising learning around personal or professional development goals
Playlists are entirely optional and self-directed. Learners choose what to include and in what order, making them a flexible tool for exploration and personal growth rather than structured, mandatory learning.
View Create and use Playlists for more information.
Accreditations
An accreditation is a structured way to manage learning that must be completed and renewed regularly. Accreditations are used to achieve or maintain certified status.
They allow you to set validity periods, renewal cycles, and expiry notifications so learners stay compliant with mandatory training requirements.
When to use it
Use accreditations when learners need to complete training regularly to maintain compliance or certification. This is ideal for mandatory learning that expires after a set period or requires renewal, such as:
- Data Protection Awareness - every 12 months from an employee’s start date
- Workplace Health & Safety - annual renewal or after significant policy changes
- First Aid Training - renewal upon expiry, typically every 3 years
- Cyber Security Awareness - completed annually to meet security standards
- Equality, Diversity & Inclusion - refreshed periodically to support ongoing culture initiatives
- Manual Handling - renewed every 2 years for staff in physical roles
Accreditations ensure learners are automatically reminded when training is due for renewal, helping organisations maintain compliance without manual tracking.
View Repeat training with Accreditations 101 for more information.
Refresher training with Lesson sets
A learning set is a way of grouping lessons within a course while providing flexible options for how and when content is completed. Learning sets allow you to deliver refresher content, alternative formats, or different learning paths without requiring learners to repeat an entire course.
For example, you might offer a shorter refresher for annual compliance training or give learners the choice between an online module or a face-to-face workshop.
When to use it
Use learning sets when you want to provide flexible, adaptive learning experiences. They are ideal for situations where content needs to be revisited periodically, but not necessarily in full, or when multiple delivery options are available.
- Annual compliance refreshers - shorter lessons covering updated policies or procedures
- Health & Safety training - choose between online scenarios or in-person practical workshops
- Onboarding programmes - select lessons based on role-specific requirements
- Professional development - offer alternative modules such as videos, readings, or workshops
Learning sets give learners options for completing required content, reducing repetition while maintaining learning objectives. This ensures learners can stay up to date in a way that fits their schedule and learning style.
View the below articles for examples of how Refresher training with Lesson sets might be used:
- Refresher training: Set up a Course with one Lesson to be repeated every year
- Refresher training: Set up a Course with initial learning and ongoing refresher
- Refresher training: set up a Course with prerequisites and multi-set repeat
Pathways
A pathway is a longer, curated learning journey designed to guide learners through a structured sequence of courses over time. Pathways are ideal for programmes that require step-by-step progression, such as onboarding, leadership development, or apprenticeship programmes.
All course types can be included in a pathway, allowing you to build larger, goal-oriented programmes with clear guidance and progression.
When to use it
Use pathways when learners need to complete a planned sequence of courses to achieve a specific outcome. Pathways are structured around milestones — collections of courses that unlock further content as learners progress.
- Onboarding programmes - a multi-week introduction to company policies, tools, and culture
- Leadership development - structured progression through management skills and strategic learning
- Apprenticeship programmes - sequential learning for professional qualifications or certifications
Pathways are designed as one-time journeys and are less suitable for repeat or recurring training. While renewable courses can be included, learners will not be required to repeat the entire pathway when refresher training is needed. For repeatable learning, options such as accreditations or learning sets are better suited.
View Pathways: create longer, structured learning journeys for more information.