Sequential learning

If you are a community admin, you can enable sequential learning on a learning plan to guide users through content in a set order. When sequential learning is enabled, users must complete each topic before the next one unlocks — helping them build their understanding step by step before moving on to more complex material.

Sequential learning is especially useful for compliance-based learning, onboarding programmes, or any scenario where foundational knowledge needs to be in place before users progress.

Example scenario

A financial services company needs all new starters to complete a compliance induction before accessing advanced product training. By enabling sequential learning on their onboarding learning plan, admins ensure that Module 1 (regulatory basics) must be fully completed before Module 2 (product knowledge) becomes available — so no one skips ahead without the right foundation.

How sequential learning works

When sequential learning is enabled on a learning plan:

• The first topic is unlocked and available straight away.

• Each subsequent topic is locked until all content in the previous topic has been completed.

• Locked topics are visible to users but cannot be accessed until the preceding topic is done.

• Once the final topic is completed, the learning plan is marked as complete.

Sequential learning works at the topic level. The order of topics is set by their arrangement in the learning plan editor — whatever order you stack them is the order users will work through them.

Enabling sequential learning on a learning plan

To enable sequential learning on a new or existing learning plan:

1. Navigate to the community where the learning plan lives and click Settings.

2. On the left-hand menu, click Learning plans.

3. Click Create a new learning plan or click the title of an existing learning plan to edit it.

4. In the learning plan editor, arrange the topics in the order you want users to complete them by dragging and dropping them into position.

5. Toggle on Sequential learning.

6. Click Save.

Sequential learning is now active. Users will only be able to access the first topic until they complete it, at which point the next topic unlocks automatically.

Turning off sequential learning

You can toggle sequential learning off at any time. When you do:

• All topics in the learning plan become immediately accessible to users.

• Existing progress is retained — any topics already completed remain marked as complete.

Turning sequential learning off mid-way through a user's journey will not reset their progress. Users who have already completed topics will keep their progress, and previously locked topics will become accessible straight away.

What users see

When sequential learning is enabled, users see the learning plan overview page with all topics listed. The first topic is open and ready to start. Subsequent topics appear as locked, with a clear indicator that they need to complete the previous topic first.

[Add picture — user view of the learning plan overview with locked and unlocked topics]

Once a topic is completed, the next one unlocks automatically — no need for users to refresh or take any additional action.

Formal assessments in learning plans

If a topic in a learning plan includes a formal assessment, users can access it directly from the learning plan overview page. A View Assessment button appears on the topic card, so users don't need to navigate into the topic itself to start the assessment.

[Add picture — topic card on the LP overview showing the View Assessment button]

When sequential learning is enabled, the formal assessment counts as part of that topic's completion. This means:

• Users must complete the formal assessment in the current topic before the next topic unlocks.

• If a topic contains both content and a formal assessment, both must be completed for the topic to be marked as done.

• Topics that contain only a formal assessment and no other content are fully supported — the assessment card will appear on its own within the topic on the overview page.

[Add picture — example of an assessment-only topic card on the LP overview]

For more information on creating and configuring formal assessments, see Formal assessments.

Things to know

• Sequential learning is set per learning plan — you can have some learning plans with it on and others with it off.

• The sequence is based on the order of topics in the learning plan editor. To change the order, edit the learning plan and rearrange the topics before saving.

• Admins viewing the learning plan see the same UI as users — topics will appear locked in the same way.

• Learning plans do not have prerequisites across other plans — sequential learning only applies within a single learning plan.

• Sequential learning is only available on the new learning plan UI. It is not supported on the legacy UI.

For information on how to add and arrange topics in a learning plan, see Creating a learning plan.