✔️ Manage learning categories

Learning categories are used to:

• Tag objects that focus on the same topic. Learning categories are visible to learners, so they can easily find relevant content based on the topic.
• Decide which objects should be displayed in the “Course catalog” section.

Each category can have two levels of subcategories, e.g., "Insurance" category can have "Individual" and "Business" subcategories, and the "Individual" subcategory can have "Life & Health", "Travel", "Car" and "Investment & pension" subcategories.

Table of contents

1. Using learning categories to manage objects displayed in the “Course catalog” section
2. Manage learning categories
   1. Create learning categories
   2. Create learning subcategories
   3. Add categories to an object
   4. Add objects to a category
   5. Check if there are any objects without a learning category added
3. How to prepare categories and subcategories? Tips and tricks

Using learning categories to manage objects displayed in the “Course catalog” section

You can decide whether an object is displayed in the "Course catalog" by assigning a learning category to this object. So:

• For an object to appear as a tile in the "Course catalog" section, it must be assigned to the user (it does not matter whether it is assigned by path or directly) and must include at least one learning category.
• Consequently, if an object does not have a category assigned to it, the user will not see it in the "Course catalog" section.

Let’s look at examples

I want users to only see a path/program, not its elements.

You only assign a category to a path/program, not to its elements.

I want users to only see individual elements, not a path/program

You assign a category only to elements of a path/program.

I want users to see both a path/program and its elements

You assign a category to a path/program and to its elements.

I want users to see a single object that doesn't belong to a path/program

You assign a category to an object.

I want to hide a path/program

You don’t assign any category to a path/program.

Manage learning categories

Before you can start adding learning categories to objects, you need to first create them, just like with the administrative categories. Matching objects with categories works both ways, meaning that you can add many categories to one object or many objects to one category. This should make training category administration hassle-free. 

Create learning categories

1. Go to Platform settings > Configuration > Customization > Learning categories.
2. Click “Add category”.
3. Enter category name and its translations if needed.  
4. Click “Add” to confirm. 

Create learning subcategories

Each category can have two levels of subcategories, e.g., "Insurance" category can have "Individual" and "Business" subcategories, and the "Individual" subcategory can have "Life & Health", "Travel", "Car" and "Investment & pension" subcategories.

1. Go to Platform settings > Configuration > Customization > Learning categories.
2. Click on the plus icon next to the selected category.
3. Enter subcategory name and its translations if needed.   
4. Click “Add” to confirm. 

Add categories to an object

1. Create a new object (e.g., path or online course) or start editing an existing one.
2. In the "General data" section, find "Learning categories" option and select the learning categories and/or subcategories you want to add.
3. Remember to save your changes.

Add objects to a category

1. Go to Platform settings > Configuration > Customization > Learning categories.
2. Click the category or subcategory to edit it. 
3. Click "Add objects to category", select objects from the list, and confirm. 
4. You will see the objects in the list. You can delete them, or add more, at any time. 
5. Remember to click "Save"

Check if there are any objects without a learning category added

1. Go to the Platform settings > Configuration > Customization > Learning categories tab.
2. Open any category (it doesn't matter what category, because in the next step you will see objects that have no category assigned).
3. Click "Add objects to categories" and select the "Uncategorized" tab.
4. In the list, you will see all objects that do not have a single category added.

How to prepare categories and subcategories? Tips and tricks

How to create a category structure

There are three strategies you can use to map out categories, but we recommend the one based on a theme (with other types mixed in if necessary), because it is usually the most transparent for users.

• Theme—categories are based on relevant subject, e.g., Customer Service, Services, Products, Health and Safety, People Management, Tools, Wellbeing, About the company, Benefits, etc.
• Organizational structure—categories are based on relevant departments e.g., Logistics, Floor staff, Managers, Human Resources, Headquarters, Marketing, etc.
• Role—categories are based on relevant job positions e.g., Cashiers, Drivers, Warehouse Keepers, Store Managers, Logistics, etc.

In order to create a category structure based on a theme, it's easiest to start by looking at the objects that users must complete. For example, you can take screenshots of lists with objects, print them out, and add a category to each one (it doesn't have to be perfect, you will refine the naming at the end). In the early stages of the process, you will notice many recurring themes. As you finish, look at the categories listed and find ones that are similar (e.g., soft skills or products offered). Identify an overarching category for them. As a final step, make sure that the naming is simple and directly related to the topic.

Our conversation with customers who have already implemented the solution led us to prepare an example category structure that can give you some inspiration.

General tips

• Interview a diverse group of users (e.g., manager, store employee, corporate employee, etc.). Ask them how the objects should be categorized, what categories would be important to them, etc. The conversation may result in ready-made categories or tips / inspirations for further work. 
• Category names should be short (1-2 words). They must be straightforward and written in plain language. Long or complicated names will make it difficult for users and, as a result, will lower the open rate of objects. 
• Take a look at your category map and check which categories contain the most objects. In categories with more than 10 objects, you can consider creating subcategories. 
• Write down all categories and subcategories on a piece of paper (or use tools like Miro) and verify with a few employees whether the category division is understandable. The easiest way is to provide a few object names and ask what category they belong to.