Understanding Absolute and Dynamic Channels

Overview

When creating a Channel, you choose how completion is calculated: Absolute or Dynamic. This setting determines what happens to learners' progress when you add new content to the Channel.

Pre-requisites

Before setting or changing completion type:

• Understand how the setting will affect existing learners

• Consider whether content will change over time

Role Requirements

The Two Completion Types

Absolute Completion

With Absolute completion:

• Once a learner completes the Channel, their score stays at 100%

• Adding new content doesn't affect their completion status

• The Channel is considered "done" based on what existed when they finished

Use Absolute when: The Channel represents a fixed programme or certification, and you want learners who've finished to remain complete regardless of future updates.

Dynamic Completion

With Dynamic completion:

• Learner scores adjust when new content is added

• If you add items, previously complete learners drop below 100%

• Learners must complete new items to return to 100%

Use Dynamic when: The Channel is an evolving resource that learners should revisit, such as a company updates Channel or ongoing training collection.

Comparison Table

Practical Examples

Example 1: Compliance Training (Absolute)

You create a compliance Channel with 10 items. A learner completes all 10 and receives their compliance certification. Later, you add a supplementary resource. With Absolute completion, the learner remains certified—they don't need to complete the new item.

Example 2: Product Knowledge (Dynamic)

You create a product Channel covering your current offerings. A learner completes it. When you launch a new product and add training content, their completion drops—prompting them to learn about the new product too.

Quick Start Guide

Setting Completion Type During Creation

1. Go to Manage → Channels from the sidebar

2. Click Add Channel

3. In the Channel creation form, find the Completion section

4. Select Absolute or Dynamic

5. Complete the Channel creation

Changing Completion Type

1. Go to Manage → Channels from the sidebar

2. Find the Channel you want to update

3. Click the three dots menu (⋯) and select Edit Channel

4. Update the completion setting

5. Save your changes

⚠️ Warning: Changing from Absolute to Dynamic may cause completed learners to show as incomplete.

Important: Matching Completion Types

⚠️ Absolute Channels can only contain Absolute Learnlists

⚠️ Dynamic Channels can only contain Dynamic Learnlists

If you try to add a Dynamic Learnlist to an Absolute Channel (or vice versa), you'll receive an error. Ensure your Learnlists match your Channel's completion type.

FAQs

Q: Can I change the completion type after creating a Channel?
Yes, but be cautious. Changing from Absolute to Dynamic may cause completed learners to show as incomplete. Changing from Dynamic to Absolute will lock in current completion states.

Q: Which type is better?
Neither is inherently better—it depends on your use case. Use Absolute for certifications and fixed programmes. Use Dynamic for evolving content libraries.

Q: Does the completion type affect reporting?
Yes. With Absolute, completion reports remain stable. With Dynamic, reports may show previously complete learners as now incomplete after content updates.

Q: Can I mix Absolute and Dynamic content?
Not within the same Channel or Learnlist. However, you can have separate Channels with different completion types.

Troubleshooting