Want to create an online course platform with a thriving community? Combining Ultimate Member with LearnDash gives you the best of both worlds: course delivery and community features. This combination helps students learn together, share experiences, and stay engaged.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through building a course community that combines learning with community engagement. We’ll cover setup, integration, and features that help students succeed together.
Why Combine Ultimate Member with LearnDash?
This combination offers unique benefits:
- Student profiles and directories
- Course-based communities
- Student networking
- Enhanced engagement
- Community learning
Adding community features to courses increases completion rates and student satisfaction.
Setting Up the Foundation
Install both plugins:
Install LearnDash
Set up LearnDash for course delivery.
Install Ultimate Member
Set up Ultimate Member for community features.
Creating Student Roles
Set up roles for your learning community:
- Student role with course access
- Instructor role for teachers
- Premium student role for advanced courses
- Alumni role for graduates
Student Profiles
Create profiles that showcase learning:
- Courses enrolled
- Certificates earned
- Learning progress
- Skills and achievements
Course Communities
Build communities around courses:
- Course-specific groups
- Discussion areas
- Student directories
- Peer connections
Content Restriction
Use content restriction for courses:
- Restrict courses by membership level
- Premium course access
- Exclusive content for members
- Graduated student access
Integration Features
Connect Ultimate Member with LearnDash:
- Link profiles to course progress
- Show achievements on profiles
- Display courses on member pages
- Create seamless experience
Community Engagement
Encourage student interaction:
- Study groups
- Peer support
- Discussion forums
- Networking opportunities
Best Practices
Tips for successful course communities:
- Foster peer learning
- Encourage discussions
- Recognize achievements
- Create networking opportunities
- Keep students engaged
Next Steps
Now that your course community is set up, consider:
- Promoting community features
- Creating engagement activities
- Building study groups
- Encouraging peer support
A strong course community enhances learning and increases student success. Take time to build it well, and your students will benefit from both the courses and the community.