Content Types
Arythmatic supports seven curriculum lesson types. Each is suited to a different kind of material. When you add content to a section, you choose one of these types for each lesson.
Meetings are not a curriculum content type. Live and scheduled synchronous sessions are managed via the dedicated Meetings feature and are attached to courses or batches separately — they are not added through the curriculum builder.
Video
A video lesson lets learners watch a recorded video directly inside the course player.
When to use it: Demonstrations, walkthroughs, talking-head lectures, screencasts, or any content that benefits from showing rather than telling.
How it works:
- Upload a video file (MP4 recommended) directly to Arythmatic.
- The platform transcodes the video to multiple quality levels (HLS adaptive streaming) so it plays smoothly across connection speeds.
- Learners watch it in the built-in player; video position is tracked so they can resume where they left off.
- You can also pick an existing video from the Content Library if you have already uploaded it for another course.
Notes:
- Large files take a few minutes to process after upload. The lesson shows a "Processing" indicator until the video is ready. Do not publish the course until processing is complete.
- Video storage counts toward your workspace storage quota.
Audio
An audio lesson lets learners listen to recorded audio content directly inside the course player.
When to use it: Podcasts, narrated explanations, language-learning listening exercises, interviews, or any content where audio alone is sufficient.
How it works:
- Upload an audio file (MP3 recommended) directly to Arythmatic.
- Learners listen in the built-in player; playback position is tracked so they can resume where they left off.
- You can also pick an existing audio file from the Content Library.
Notes:
- Audio storage counts toward your workspace storage quota.
Text / Article
A text lesson is a rich-text document written and rendered inside the course. No file uploads needed.
When to use it: Written explanations, conceptual overviews, step-by-step written instructions, reference material, or anything that works well as a web article.
How it works:
- You write and format content using a rich-text editor (headings, bold, italic, lists, links, tables, and code blocks).
- Learners read the article directly in the course player — no downloads required.
- Great for supplementary reading or lessons where a written walkthrough is clearer than a video.
Notes:
- Keep articles focused. If a lesson covers many topics, consider splitting it into multiple content items or creating a separate section.
- Text lessons are indexed for search inside the platform.
Document
A document lesson presents a file (typically a PDF) that learners can view and download.
When to use it: Worksheets, templates, slides, reading material, reference sheets, certificates of completion, or any file you want learners to keep.
How it works:
- Upload a PDF or other document file.
- Learners can view the file in the course player and download a copy.
- Documents are served via signed URLs so access is controlled to enrolled learners.
Notes:
- PDFs are the most reliable format for consistent rendering across devices.
- If you want learners to read content inside the course without downloading, consider using a Text / Article lesson instead.
External URL
An external URL lesson embeds or links to a web page, interactive tool, third-party video, or any URL-addressable resource.
When to use it: Interactive simulations, third-party tools, embedded forms, supplementary web pages, YouTube videos, or any external resource you want to include in the curriculum.
How it works:
- Paste a URL. Arythmatic attempts to embed the page in an iframe inside the course player.
- If the target site blocks iframe embedding (X-Frame-Options restrictions), learners will see a link to open the URL in a new tab instead.
- Completion of an external URL lesson is marked manually by the learner clicking "Mark as complete".
Notes:
- You do not control third-party pages — if the external site changes or goes down, the lesson is affected.
- For content you own, prefer Video, Text, or Document lessons so you maintain full control.
- HTTPS URLs are required. Plain HTTP will not embed.
Quiz
A quiz lesson is an interactive question set that tests comprehension and engages learners actively.
When to use it: Knowledge checks at the end of a section, end-of-course assessments (lighter weight than a Standalone Assessment), self-review exercises, or certification prep.
How it works:
- You build the quiz in the quiz editor: add questions, choose question types (multiple choice, true/false, etc.), set correct answers, and configure scoring.
- Learners answer questions in the course player and receive immediate feedback.
- Results and scores are tracked per enrollment and visible in course analytics.
Notes:
- Course-level quizzes are lighter than Standalone Assessments — they do not support proctoring, time limits, or section-level configuration. For high-stakes assessments, use the Assessments module.
- You can create a quiz from scratch or start from a Quiz Template from the Marketplace.
- A quiz must have at least one question before you can save it.
Assignment
An assignment lesson gives learners a task to complete and submit — a written response, an uploaded file, or a project deliverable.
When to use it: Practice tasks, project submissions, reflective exercises, essays, or any activity where you want learners to produce and submit work for review.
How it works:
- You write the assignment prompt and instructions in the content editor.
- Learners submit their work (text, file upload, or both, depending on your configuration).
- Submissions are tracked per enrollment and reviewable from the course analytics and enrollments views.
Notes:
- Assignment submissions are not auto-graded — an instructor or admin reviews them.
- You can configure whether learners submit text, a file, or either.
Choosing the right type
| Situation | Recommended type |
|---|---|
| Explaining a concept through narration or screen recording | Video |
| Narrated content, podcast, or listening exercise | Audio |
| Written guide, tutorial, or reference material | Text / Article |
| Worksheet, slide deck, or take-home file | Document |
| Embedding an external tool or supplementary web page | External URL |
| Knowledge check or self-assessment exercise | Quiz |
| Project submission, essay, or file-upload task | Assignment |
| High-stakes exam with time limits or proctoring | Standalone Assessment (not a course lesson) |
| Live or scheduled synchronous session | Meetings (separate feature, not a curriculum lesson) |
You can freely mix types within a single section or course — many courses combine a video explanation with a text summary and end the section with a quiz.