Integrating LearnDash with Divi, one of the most popular WordPress themes and visual page builders, can significantly enhance the appearance and functionality of your online courses. Divi’s visual builder allows for extensive customization, making it a great companion for the robust e-learning features that LearnDash provides. Here’s a straightforward guide on how to use LearnDash with Divi for an easy integration process.
Step 1: Install Required Plugins and Theme
Ensure you have the following installed and activated on your WordPress site:
- LearnDash LMS Plugin: Purchase, download, and install LearnDash from the official website.
- Divi Theme: Purchase, download, and install Divi from Elegant Themes. Alternatively, you can use the Divi Builder plugin with another theme.
Step 2: Basic Configuration
- Configure LearnDash Settings: Navigate to LearnDash LMS > Settings in your WordPress dashboard and configure your LearnDash settings according to your course structure and requirements.
- Activate Divi Theme: Go to Appearance > Themes, find Divi, and click Activate.
Step 3: Create Your Course Content
- Add New Course: Go to LearnDash LMS > Courses and click Add New. Use the WordPress editor to add your course title and content. With Divi activated, you can use the Divi Builder to visually design your course description area.
- Build Lessons, Topics, and Quizzes: Within the course editor, you can create and link new lessons, topics, and quizzes. These can also be styled using Divi if you edit them individually.
Step 4: Customize LearnDash Pages with Divi
- Enable Divi Builder on LearnDash Post Types: By default, Divi Builder might not be enabled for custom post types like courses, lessons, and quizzes. You can help it by going to Divi > Theme Options > Builder > Advanced and allowing the post to type for courses, lessons, and quizzes.
- Edit with Divi Builder: Now, when you edit a course, lesson, topic, or quiz, you can design these pages using the Divi Builder. Click the Enable Divi Builder button at the top of the editor to start customizing your LearnDash content with Divi’s drag-and-drop interface.
Step 5: Use Divi Modules and Layouts
- Apply Divi Layouts: Divi comes with numerous pre-designed layouts and modules that you can use to enhance the appearance of your LearnDash content. For example, you can use text modules, image modules, and call-to-action modules to make your course pages more engaging.
- Customize LearnDash Elements: Although direct customization of LearnDash elements (like course lists or lesson tables) with Divi modules isn’t straightforward out of the box, you can use custom CSS or explore third-party Divi plugins designed explicitly for LearnDash to extend styling options.
Step 6: Optimize and Test Your Course
- Preview and Test: Regularly preview your course as you design it to ensure all elements look good and function correctly across different devices. Enroll in your course as a test user to experience it from a student’s perspective and adjust as needed.
- Optimize Navigation: Ensure that the course navigation is intuitive. Consider using Divi’s menu modules or custom sidebars to enhance the learner’s journey through your course.
Additional Tips
- Divi & LearnDash Specific Plugins: Plugins are specifically designed to enhance the integration between Divi and LearnDash, offering additional modules and customization options. Examples include the “Divi LearnDash Kit” by Divi Space.
- Keep Everything Updated: Ensure Divi and LearnDash (along with any additional plugins) are up-to-date to maintain compatibility and security.
Integrating LearnDash with Divi can elevate your e-learning experience, marrying powerful LMS functionality with unparalleled design flexibility. Following these steps, you can develop visually appealing and functionally robust online courses that captivate and educate.