Course Library

The Course Library provides a place for learners to discover the learning available to them.

Depending on how the platform has been configured, the Library can contain Courses, Learning Paths, or both.

The Course Library is separate from the learner's Dashboard. The Dashboard typically focuses on learning the learner is already enrolled in, while the Library can provide a broader catalog for discovering available learning.

The exact Library experience varies between platforms. Some platforms provide a large searchable catalog, while others may use curated collections or may not require a Course Library at all.

Available learning

The content available in the Course Library depends on how the platform has been configured.

Courses and Learning Paths can be made broadly available or restricted to particular Organizations or audiences.

This allows the Library to support different models, including public or individual learning, Organization-based learning, or a combination of the two.

Learners can also continue to see relevant learning they are already enrolled in.

Enrollment and access

Seeing a Course or Learning Path in the Library does not necessarily mean that every learner can enroll in it in the same way.

Enrollment and access rules are configured for each platform and can vary significantly.

For example, a platform might allow learners to self-enroll, provide learning through an Organization, require a purchase or subscription, or use another client-specific access process.

Where a learner enrolls onto a Learning Path, Shapeshift creates the necessary Course enrollments for the Courses within that Path.

Enrolled learning

The Course Library can include learning that the learner is already enrolled in alongside content they have not yet started.

The action available reflects the learner's current state. For example, they may be able to:

Learn more about something they are not enrolled in
Start newly enrolled learning
Resume learning already in progress
Review completed learning
Access a certificate after completion

The learner's Dashboard can provide a more detailed view of their enrolled learning, particularly for Learning Paths.

Searching and filtering

Where enabled, learners can search the Course Library using text search.

Tags can also be used to categorize learning and allow learners to filter the Library by relevant topics or categories.

The search and filtering options available depend on the design and configuration of the platform.

Library Carousels

Library Carousels organise Courses and Learning Paths into collections, helping learners discover relevant learning.

Editors can select content manually or use Tags to collect matching content. Audience settings and visibility filters control who can see each collection.

For instructions on creating, publishing and adding carousels to the Library, see Library Carousels.

Course and Learning Path pages

Learners who select learning they have not yet enrolled in can be taken to a marketing page providing more information about the Course or Learning Path.

Depending on the content and platform configuration, this can include information such as:

Description and supporting content
Featured imagery or video
Curriculum
Instructor information
Estimated learning time
CPD Hours or CEUs
Certificate availability

These pages provide the information a learner needs before deciding whether to access or enroll in the learning.

The exact content shown, and the action available to the learner, depends on the platform's enrollment and access model.

Different Course Library configurations

The Course Library is designed to support different learning models rather than enforce a single approach.

The content learners can discover, how it is organized, who can see it, and how learners gain access can therefore vary between Shapeshift implementations.