LearnDash is a powerful WordPress-based learning management system (LMS) trusted by universities, companies, training organizations, and entrepreneurs across the globe. It allows users to create, deliver, and sell online courses efficiently. LearnDash courses are structured using instructional design principles similar to those found in Fortune 500 learning programs.
Course Hierarchy
LearnDash follows a hierarchical content structure to organize learning material. Understanding this structure is essential for creating coherent and engaging courses.
- Course (Top-Level)
At the highest level, you have the Course. This is the primary container for your learning content and is where learners begin their journey. - Lessons
Each course is divided into Lessons. Lessons are directly assigned to a Course and form the main instructional content units. - Topics
Within each Lesson, you can include Topics. Topics allow you to break down lessons into more detailed sub-units, offering a deeper level of granularity. - Quizzes
Quizzes are flexible and can be assigned at multiple levels:- To a Course
- To a Lesson
- To a Topic
They are essential for assessing learner comprehension and engagement throughout the course.
Custom Labels
LearnDash offers flexibility in terminology. You can rename content types to suit your audience or instructional style:
- Rename Lessons to “Modules”
- Rename Quizzes to “Tests”
- And more, depending on your needs
Add-Ons and Functionality
LearnDash includes a variety of built-in options, and its functionality can be extended with free or premium add-ons. These add-ons allow you to tailor LearnDash to your specific use case.
Best Practice: To ensure optimal performance and avoid compatibility issues, only install the add-ons that are necessary for your course.
Note: While labels can be customized, the underlying course structure remains the same.