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Training type feature

Categorise trainings as formal or informal, set a default for new modules, and optionally bulk-apply it to existing content.

Marie Xhauflair avatar
Written by Marie Xhauflair
Updated this week

The training type feature lets you label each activity as Formal or Informal so admins can track, benchmark, and report on learning styles without affecting what learners see. You can set a platform-wide default and fine-tune the type per activity.


What do “formal” and “informal” mean?

Use these labels to describe the nature of learning for reporting and analysis.

  • Formal training: planned, instructor-led, goal-oriented, mainly individual, assessed

  • Informal training: unplanned, learner-led, no set goals, mainly social, non-assessed

Not sure how to label your content? Use this cheat sheet:

Formal training

Informal training

Planned

Unplanned

Instructor-led

Learner-led

Goal-oriented

No set goals

Mainly individual

Mainly social

Assessed

Non-assessed


Enable the feature and set a default

  1. Go to Settings > Features.

  2. Find Training type and click the setting button

  3. Toggle Enabled on.

  4. Under Default, choose Formal, Informal, or None.

    • Formal or Informal: new modules will get this type automatically.

    • None: new modules will not be typed by default

  5. Decide whether to Overwrite existing:

    • Select Yes to apply the chosen default to all current modules.

    • Select No to keep existing modules as they are and only affect new ones.

  6. Click Save.

🔥 Important:

If you pick Yes for Overwrite existing, all current modules will change to the selected default training type. Review with stakeholders before saving.


Set or change the type on a single activity

You can always override the default at the activity level.

  1. Go to Content > Activities.

  2. Open the target activity and click Settings.

  3. Find Training type.
    (Insert screenshot highlighting Training type in activity settings)

  4. Click the pencil icon, choose Formal, Informal, or None, then click Save.

  5. Publish your changes.

💡 Tip:

Use None on activities that you do not want included in formal vs informal breakdowns.


How training type compares to core or mandatory

  • Training type is a classification for tracking and reporting. It does not change learner access or tasks.

  • Core vs optional and Mandatory affect what appears in learners’ To-do lists and influence completion expectations.

🔥 Important:

Combine settings thoughtfully. For example, a Formal module can be Optional, and an Informal module can be Mandatory, depending on your program design.


Good to know

  • Training type is visible to admins only, not to learners.

  • It is set per activity and cannot be set per group or user.

  • You can export a detailed overview of training time totals, including a breakdown of formal vs informal.


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