Merve’s flexibility is one of its greatest strengths—you can build almost any learning experience you imagine. But with that flexibility comes a common challenge: where do I start? This guide cuts through the options by focusing on the core structures that shape how learners interact with your content.
By the end of this guide, you’ll be able to:
Choose the right collection type (Course vs. Library) for your goals.
Organise content within collections using folders and rows.
Decide when to use lessons, pages, videos, PDFs, and other content types.
Imagine you’re creating a Space for a new project. You’ve got a mix of materials:
A series of tutorials that need to be completed in order.
A set of reference articles learners should explore freely.
A few standalone videos and PDFs.
How do you structure this so learners aren’t overwhelmed—and so you don’t spend hours reorganising later?
Collections are the top-level containers for your content. Merve offers two types, and their difference comes down to how learners move through your material.
Use a Course when:
Learners must complete content in a specific order (e.g., a training programme, a step-by-step workshop).
You want to enforce dependencies (e.g., “They can’t access Lesson 3 until they finish Lesson 2”).
How it works:
Content is unlocked sequentially. Learners see their progress and what’s next.
Ideal for structured learning paths where the order matters (e.g., onboarding, certifications).
Example: A “Beginner to Advanced Photography” course where each lesson builds on the last.
Use a Library when:
Learners should browse and access content in any order (e.g., a knowledge base, a resource hub).
There are no prerequisites or required sequences.
How it works:
All content is unlocked by default. Learners jump to what interests them.
Perfect for reference materials, FAQs, or “pick what you need” resources.
Example: A “Company Policies” library where employees can look up guidelines as needed.
Once you’ve chosen your collection type, you’ll need to structure the content inside it. Here’s how the two collection types differ in practice.
Libraries let you group content visually using rows and folders:
Rows: Horizontal groups of content cards (e.g., “Featured Articles,” “Getting Started Videos”). Rows appear as sections on the library page.
Folders: Containers for related content. Clicking a folder takes learners to a dedicated page with its own rows and items.
When to use each:
Use rows to highlight themes or categories at the top level (e.g., “New Releases,” “Popular Resources”).
Use folders to group related items into a sub-section (e.g., a “Marketing” folder with case studies, templates, and guides).
Example from the Video: The demo library includes:
A row for “Mountains” (showcasing an article and a video).
A folder for additional mountain-related content.
Multiple rows could represent “Featured,” “Resources,” or other categories.
Courses are built for order. Here’s how to structure them:
Lessons: The primary building blocks. Each lesson can contain pages, videos, quizzes, or other content types.
Pages: Individual “web pages” within a lesson (e.g., a text explanation, a case study).
Videos, PDFs, Embeds, etc.: Standalone content items or embedded within lessons/pages.
Key Rule: Learners must complete a lesson (or its required items) to unlock the next one. This enforces the linear path.
Example from the Video: The demo course shows:
A progress bar and outline.
Lessons/activities that unlock sequentially.
Merve supports several content types. Here’s when to use each:
| Content Type | Best For | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Page | Text-based content (e.g., articles, explanations, step-by-step guides). | Think of these as “web pages.” |
| Video | Hosted or embedded video content. | Use for tutorials, demos, or lectures. |
| Uploaded PDF documents. | Ideal for downloadable guides or forms. | |
| Embed | Embedding external content (e.g., a Google Form, a Loom video). | Useful for integrating third-party tools. |
| Assessment | Quizzes or tests. | For checking understanding. |
| File Upload | Letting learners upload files (e.g., assignments). | Requires learner interaction. |
| File Download | Providing files for learners to download (e.g., templates, worksheets). | One-way sharing. |
Let’s revisit the scenario from earlier. Here’s how you might structure it in Merve:
Create a Course called “Tutorial Series.”
Add Lessons for each tutorial (e.g., “Lesson 1: Introduction,” “Lesson 2: Advanced Techniques”).
Within each lesson, add Pages for text explanations and Videos for demonstrations.
Learners must complete Lesson 1 to unlock Lesson 2.
Create a Library called “Resource Hub.”
Add a Row called “Featured Articles” and populate it with Pages or PDFs.
Add a Folder called “Deep Dives” for longer guides, with its own rows and content.
Learners can access everything immediately.
Add them directly to the Library (e.g., in a “Media” row) or as standalone items in the Course (if they’re part of the sequence).
Overcomplicating the Structure
Problem: Too many folders/rows can confuse learners.
Solution: Start simple. Use folders only when you have 5+ related items. Use rows to highlight priorities.
Mixing Course and Library Logic
Problem: Putting sequential content in a Library (or vice versa) leads to frustration.
Solution: Ask: Does the order matter? If yes, use a Course. If no, use a Library.
Ignoring Content Types
Problem: Using a Page for a video or a PDF for interactive content.
Solution: Match the content type to the learner’s needs (e.g., use Assessment for quizzes, not a PDF).
Experiment: Try creating a Course and a Library in your Space. Add a few items to each and see how they behave.
Review: Check out Merve’s guides for more examples and advanced tips.
Iterate: Start simple, then refine. You can always reorganise later!
Need help? Stuck on a specific structure? Let me know—I’m happy to brainstorm with you!
