Courses
Comprehensive guide to the ikigize courses system for creating structured learning programs with modules and sessions.
Overview
Courses are structured learning programs built around a course outline. The outline defines the learner journey as an ordered sequence of blocks (read, watch, do, join, and module), each with its own access conditions and completion behavior.
Courses can be mapped to Topics and Skills in the ikigize Learning Graph via the DEVELOPS relationship. Once mapped, the course becomes discoverable through graph-augmented library search, drives context-aware resource recommendations, and connects learners interested in those topics. The Librarian agent can catalog a course automatically. → Learn about the Learning Graph
Core Characteristics
Structure & Content
- Title & Objective: Clear title and learning objective defining overall learning outcome
- Description & Context: Detailed descriptions and contextual information
- Outline-Driven Journey: One ordered block list that powers learner flow and authoring
- Status Management: Draft and published workflow with publishing checks
- Embedding Support: Vector embeddings for intelligent search and similarity matching
Course Types
The platform supports multiple course types to accommodate different learning scenarios and delivery methods. From self-paced learning to live cohorts, intensive programs to micro-courses, each type is designed with specific learning patterns and outcomes in mind. Choose the type that best matches your educational goals and learner needs.
Learn at your own speed with no fixed deadlines
Course Structure
A course's learning path is built from a flexible outline of content blocks. Each block represents a distinct learning component and can be sequenced to create a coherent journey.
In the editor, blocks are grouped into five authoring categories:
- Read: Documents and reading resources
- Watch: Video resources
- Do: Tasks and practical assignments
- Join: Sessions and meetings
- Module: Structured module units
Available Block Types
Outline Editing Experience
Course admins and content editors can manage the outline directly:
- Add new blocks from the five category entry points
- Reorder blocks with drag-and-drop
- Configure unlock conditions per block
- Duplicate supported block types for faster authoring
- Remove outdated blocks safely
Each outline block can be configured with one of these unlock conditions:
- Always unlocked
- Finish previous
- Date & time
- Course start
This allows you to support self-paced, sequential, and cohort-style experiences in the same course structure.
Learner Experience in the Outline
For learners, the outline acts as the single source of truth for what to do next:
- Locked blocks clearly show why they are not yet available
- The next actionable block is highlighted by progression logic
- Task and session states are reflected directly in block status
- Progress is calculated from completed countable blocks
Example Course Outline
The following example demonstrates a realistic block flow with mixed types, unlock states, dates, and progress tracking:
Progress is based on countable learner blocks (tasks, sessions, and resources), not module wrapper blocks.
Module: Foundations of Systems Thinking
Module • Order 1
Unlock condition: always unlocked
Read: Framing the Problem Space
Read resource • Order 2
Unlock condition: always unlocked
Do: Map Stakeholders and Constraints
Task • Order 3
Unlock condition: finish previous block
Join: Live Design Critique
Session • Order 4 • 90 min
Unlock condition: course start
Watch: Case Study Walkthrough
Watch resource • Order 5
Unlock condition: date & time (Apr 20, 2026 • 9:00 AM)
Unlocks on Apr 20, 2026 • 9:00 AM
Block Types & Features
Unlock options: always unlocked, finish previous, date & time, course start
Blocks can include scheduling and deadlines
Progress is calculated from completed countable blocks
Publishing Readiness
Course publishing is tied to the quality and completeness of the outline.
Before publishing, course editors should verify:
- Sufficient outline blocks are present
- Linked block entities are in a publish-ready state
- Session-specific scheduling/location requirements are met
- Course title, description, objective, and cover image are complete
- Learning Graph mapping is set when needed
The course experience includes a next-step flow that points editors to the exact tab or action needed to satisfy publishing requirements.
Roles & Permissions
Course roles define what specific users can do within a course. While ownership and visibility determine control and discoverability, roles grant the actual permissions to view, edit, manage, teach, and interact with course content and participants.
Course owners (or users with Superadmin/Admin roles) can assign roles to other users. Once assigned, roles determine exact capabilities. Users can hold multiple roles simultaneously, and permissions from all roles are combined additively.
Understanding Course Roles
Course roles operate independently from the outline itself. A user may be able to view a course but still need elevated roles (for example Instructor or Admin) to edit outline blocks, configure conditions, or publish.
Key Points:
- Owner = Automatic Superadmin: Course owners automatically have all Superadmin permissions
- Multiple Roles Allowed: Users can have several roles (e.g., Instructor + Author)
- Additive Permissions: More roles means more capabilities, never fewer
- Explicit Assignment: Roles must be explicitly assigned; they don't inherit from other contexts
- Role Hierarchy: Superadmin → Admin → Instructor/Author → Teaching Assistant → Student
Available Course Roles
Each role grants a specific set of permissions for working with course content, teaching, administration, and learning:
Complete control over the course
Key Capabilities:
Typical Users: Course owner, organization superadmins
Manage course operations and users
Key Capabilities:
Typical Users: Course administrators, program managers
Deliver and facilitate course learning
Key Capabilities:
Typical Users: Teachers, trainers, course facilitators
Create and edit course content
Key Capabilities:
Typical Users: Content creators, instructional designers, subject matter experts
Support and guide student learning
Key Capabilities:
Typical Users: Learning coaches, mentors, student success specialists
Learn and participate in the course
Key Capabilities:
Typical Users: Learners, participants, course members
Common Role Combinations
Users often benefit from multiple roles to fulfill complex responsibilities in course delivery:
Instructor + Author
- Teach content AND create/edit materials
- Ideal for: Subject matter experts who develop and deliver courses
Admin + Instructor
- Manage operations AND teach
- Ideal for: Course leads who handle both administration and facilitation
Author + Teaching Assistant
- Create content AND support students
- Ideal for: Advanced learners contributing content while helping peers
Instructor + Teaching Assistant
- Usually redundant (Instructor already has TA capabilities)
- Only assign both if you want explicit role clarity in the course roster
Complete Permissions Matrix
The following matrix shows exactly what each role can do at the course level:
| Permission | Superadmin | Admin | Instructor | Author | TA | Student |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Core Access | ||||||
| View Course | ||||||
| Access Course Content | ||||||
| Track Own Progress | ||||||
| Content Management | ||||||
| Edit Course Content | ||||||
| Manage Course Outline | ||||||
| Add/Remove Blocks | ||||||
| Create Sessions | ||||||
| Archive Course | ||||||
| Course Settings | ||||||
| Edit Course Settings | ||||||
| Configure Visibility | ||||||
| Configure Join Conditions | ||||||
| Configure Template Conditions (Planned) | ||||||
| Templates & Licensing (Planned) | ||||||
| Create Templates (Planned) | ||||||
| License Course (Planned) | ||||||
| User Management | ||||||
| Manage Course Members | ||||||
| Assign Roles | ||||||
| Remove Members | ||||||
| Teaching & Assessment | ||||||
| Grade Assignments | ||||||
| Provide Feedback | ||||||
| View Student Progress | ||||||
| View Course Analytics | ||||||
Permission Scenarios
Scenario 1: Self-Paced Online Course
- Superadmin: Course owner/creator
- Admin: Course manager handling enrollments and updates
- Instructors: Optional facilitators for live Q&A sessions
- Authors: Content creators updating materials
- Students: Self-paced learners
- Result: Clear separation of content creation, administration, and learning
Scenario 2: University Course
- Superadmin: Department head or course coordinator
- Admin: Program administrator
- Instructor: Primary professor
- Teaching Assistants: Graduate students supporting instruction
- Students: Enrolled students
- Result: Traditional academic structure with clear teaching support
Scenario 3: Corporate Training Program
- Superadmin: L&D (Learning & Development) director
- Admin: Training coordinator
- Instructors: Internal trainers and external consultants
- Authors: Subject matter experts creating content
- Students: Employees completing training
- Result: Scalable corporate learning with multiple content contributors
Scenario 4: Cohort-Based Course
- Superadmin: Course creator
- Instructors: Multiple facilitators for different cohorts
- Teaching Assistants: Cohort-specific TAs
- Students: Cohort members
- Result: Personalized cohort experience with dedicated support
For detailed guidance on role assignment best practices and implementation patterns across the platform, see the Roles & Permissions System documentation.
Course Lifecycle
Every course on ikigize follows a natural progression from initial planning to ongoing maintenance. This lifecycle ensures that courses are well-designed, thoroughly tested, and continuously improved based on learner feedback and evolving educational needs.
Planning & Design
Define the course vision, learning objectives, and structural foundation:
- •Define learning objectives and measurable outcomes that learners will achieve
- •Plan course structure and organize content blocks (modules, sessions, tasks, resources)
- •Set duration, effort requirements, and pacing strategy for the learning journey
- •Design assessment methods, evaluation criteria, and completion requirements
- •Determine visibility settings and join conditions for target audience
Content Creation
Develop and curate comprehensive learning materials and resources:
- •Create or curate learning modules with clear objectives and structured content
- •Develop interactive sessions including workshops, discussions, and live activities
- •Prepare supporting resources such as readings, videos, and reference materials
- •Design assessments and projects that measure learning outcomes effectively
- •Configure block sequences, prerequisites, and time-based access controls
Review & Testing
Validate content quality, learning progression, and user experience:
- •Validate content quality, accuracy, and alignment with learning objectives
- •Test learning progression to ensure logical flow and appropriate pacing
- •Review assessment effectiveness and ensure they measure intended outcomes
- •Ensure accessibility compliance and usability across different devices
- •Conduct pilot testing with sample learners and gather initial feedback
Publication & Launch
Release the course and manage initial learner enrollment and engagement:
- •Set final visibility settings and configure join conditions for enrollment
- •Enroll initial learners or open registration based on access settings
- •Monitor learner progress, engagement patterns, and completion rates
- •Gather feedback through surveys, assessments, and learner interactions
- •Iterate on content and structure based on initial learner experiences
Maintenance & Updates
Continuously improve and maintain course relevance and effectiveness:
- •Update content regularly based on learner feedback and changing subject matter
- •Add new modules, resources, and activities to enhance learning experience
- •Improve assessments and projects to better measure and support learning
- •Maintain content relevance and accuracy as knowledge and practices evolve
- •Analyze learning analytics to identify improvement opportunities and optimize outcomes
Related Documentation
- Modules System - Building blocks for course content
- Sessions System - Interactive learning activities
- Visibility & Access - Access models and control concepts across entities
- Groups - Managing course participants
- Library System - Organizing course resources