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Academy Prerequisites

Guide learners through structured content journeys

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Written by Jon Low

Overview & Key Benefits

Academy Prerequisites allows administrators to lock specific content items behind mandatory completion requirements. Before a learner can access a gated piece of content, they must first successfully complete one or more prior content items defined by the admin. This closes the gap where admins could previously only recommend prior content but could not prevent learners from skipping ahead.

  • Structured Learning Journeys: Ensure foundational knowledge is fully acquired before learners move on to advanced modules.

  • Better Learner Outcomes: Arriving at advanced training well-prepared maximizes retention and educational success.

  • Flexible Gating: Built-in AND/OR logic gives admins the option to offer flexible choices rather than a single rigid track.

  • Targeted Enforcement: Prerequisites can be restricted to specific audience segments, leaving the same content entirely open for others.

Supported Content Types

Prerequisites can be configured symmetrically—meaning any of the following content types can be gated by a prerequisite, and any of them can also serve as a prerequisite requirement for other items:

  • Guides

  • SCORM modules

  • Resources

  • Event Sessions

  • Certifications

  • Paths

Setup - Certifications & Paths

The prerequisite configuration interface is embedded directly inline on the settings page for each supported content type, eliminating the need to navigate elsewhere.

Step-by-Step Configuration

  1. Navigate to the Settings page

  2. Scroll down to find the embedded Prerequisites section and toggle it to enabled.

  3. Click the 'Add Content' button to trigger the multi-select content picker. -

  4. Search or select your desired prerequisites. (Note: The item you are currently editing is automatically excluded from the list to prevent circular references).

  5. Configure the enforcement condition using the logical dropdown menu:

  • AND (Default): The learner must complete all listed items before this content unlocks.

  • OR: The learner only needs to complete at least one of the listed items to gain access.

Configure Segment Targeting (Optional): Restrict who the prerequisite applies to by defining audience parameters:

  • Visible to all users: No restrictions; the gate applies across your entire learner audience.

  • Visible to specific segments: Only learners within the selected segments will face the prerequisite restriction.

  • Exclude specific segments: Learners in these chosen segments bypass the restrictions completely (e.g., allowing experienced employees to skip past foundational constraints).

Using the Content Picker

To facilitate management within large Academies, the content picker organizes items natively by their folder structure. Collections display as expandable directories with their individual contents nested inside. Because the picker supports full multi-select, you can check off multiple items across various folders and add them in a single action, avoiding repetitive steps.

Setup - Collections (Guides, Resources & SCORM)

The prerequisite configuration interface for Guides, Resources & SCORM is located within the modules setting in Collections and is handled individually.

Step-by-Step Configuration

  1. Navigate to the Collection > Modules > then select the Kebab menu next to the learning object and Edit Guide/Resource/SCORM Setting

  2. Scroll down to find the embedded Prerequisites section and toggle it to enabled.

  3. Click the 'Add Content' button to trigger the multi-select content picker. -

  4. Search or select your desired prerequisites. (Note: The item you are currently editing is automatically excluded from the list to prevent circular references).

  5. Configure the enforcement condition using the logical dropdown menu:

Configure Segment Targeting (Optional): Restrict who the prerequisite applies to by defining audience parameters:

  • Visible to all users: No restrictions; the gate applies across your entire learner audience.

  • Visible to specific segments: Only learners within the selected segments will face the prerequisite restriction.

  • Exclude specific segments: Learners in these chosen segments bypass the restrictions completely (e.g., allowing experienced employees to skip past foundational constraints).

Using the Content Picker

To facilitate management within large Academies, the content picker organizes items natively by their folder structure. Collections display as expandable directories with their individual contents nested inside. Because the picker supports full multi-select, you can check off multiple items across various folders and add them in a single action, avoiding repetitive steps.

Setup - Event Sessions

The prerequisite configuration interface for Event Sessions is located within the Live Session.

Step-by-Step Configuration

  1. Navigate to the Event > Session> then Edit

  2. Scroll down to find the embedded Prerequisites section and toggle it to enabled.

  3. Click the 'Add Content' button to trigger the multi-select content picker. -

  4. Search or select your desired prerequisites. (Note: The item you are currently editing is automatically excluded from the list to prevent circular references).

  5. Configure the enforcement condition using the logical dropdown menu:

Configure Segment Targeting (Optional): Restrict who the prerequisite applies to by defining audience parameters:

  • Visible to all users: No restrictions; the gate applies across your entire learner audience.

  • Visible to specific segments: Only learners within the selected segments will face the prerequisite restriction.

  • Exclude specific segments: Learners in these chosen segments bypass the restrictions completely (e.g., allowing experienced employees to skip past foundational constraints).

Using the Content Picker

To facilitate management within large Academies, the content picker organizes items natively by their folder structure. Collections display as expandable directories with their individual contents nested inside. Because the picker supports full multi-select, you can check off multiple items across various folders and add them in a single action, avoiding repetitive steps.

Note: When using one Event Session as a prerequisite for another, the system enforces two rules:

  1. The prerequisite session must start earlier. You can't require someone to attend a session that starts at the same time as, or after, the session you're locking.

  2. The prerequisite session can't be in the past. If a session has already ended, it can't be used as a prerequisite —as learners would have no way to complete it.

The Learner Experience

WorkRamp prevents learners from accessing gated content via any workaround—including navigating directly to the content's direct URL. If prerequisites are unmet, the content remains strictly locked until requirements are satisfied.

Interface Component

Learner View & Functionality

Content Overview Page

Displays a detailed list of all prerequisites including their titles, content type icons, and brief descriptions. A 'View' button appears adjacent to each requirement, allowing learners to click through and begin the coursework immediately.

Catalogue Card Overlay

When clicking a locked card (this applies to Resources & SCORM) within the Academy catalogue, an interactive overlay emerges detailing the requirements. Completed items are clearly marked with a green checkmark and a 'Completed' badge.

Logic Indicators

The interface clearly and explicitly labels whether the pathway requires AND logic (completing all items) or OR logic (choosing one item out of a provided selection), ensuring full transparency.

Automated Unlocking

The very moment all necessary prerequisites are satisfied, the primary content unlocks instantly. The learner does not need to refresh their browser or request administrative clearance.

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