Paths or programs?

We are designing paths to replace and expand programs. This takes time since programs are a cornerstone of the learners’ experience; until then, both have characteristics that can be an advantage or a disadvantage, depending on your needs. Note that program-specific features will gradually be integrated into paths in 2022.

In this article, we’ll cover the major use cases for which you should use one or the other.

Both programs and paths use courses as basic building blocks. If you need to write about a single topic that isn’t mandatory, you may want to create a standalone course instead, and share it to the Catalog.

If you need to send automated emails

→ Create a program.

Learn more about:

• Sending automated Emails at specific times

If you need enrolled learners to self-register for classroom slots

→ Create a program.

Learn more about:

• Scheduling Classrooms

Learners who have access to a path from their group catalog instead of through enrollment can select classroom slots at sign-up, but won't be able to change their selection.

If you need to add requirements

→ Create a program.

You can add requirements on a program template or program session; they will not be visible in the users’ Catalog until they meet those requirements (remember that being assigned to a program session takes precedence over requirements).

If you need learners to replay courses

→ Create a program.

Learners registered to a program session will have to play all courses in the program, regardless of whether or not they’ve completed them before.

If you need to add users who don’t already have an account on the platform

→ Create a program.

You will then be able to invite them from the program session.

If you need to add the session to the Public channel

→ Create a program.

Learn more in Add a session to the Public channel.

If you need to manipulate sessions through API

→ Create a program.

We’re gradually adding more routes to Paths Use Cases, but it’s not as exhaustive as the Programs ones currently.

If you need to synchronize with Cornerstone OnDemand

→ Create a program.

We’re working on including paths to the list of exportable 360Learning objects in Cornerstone OnDemand. See Synchronize users, program sessions and statistics with Cornerstone for more information.

In all other cases

→ Create a path.

In particular, paths offer the following advantages:

• They can be linear or non-linear
• They can have optional steps
• They can display correct answers before or at the end of the course
• They can display the forum & reactions before or at the end of the course
• They can include courses with a time limit (min or max)
• They can include courses with the minimum score learners must achieve to successfully complete the course
• They can include courses, programs, other paths, and classrooms
• They can be edited by multiple users (whereas program templates can only be edited by their author and platform administrators)
• They can be edited after a session has started