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Kolibri Studio supports multiple content types (also called “kinds”) to accommodate different types of educational materials. Each content type has specific characteristics and supported file formats.

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Available content kinds

The content kinds are defined in le_utils.constants.content_kinds and available in Studio: 
// From ContentKinds.js
const ContentKinds = new Set([
  'audio',
  'document',
  'exercise',
  'h5p',
  'html5',
  'slideshow',
  'topic',
  'video',
  'zim',
]);

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Topic

kind_id = "topic"
Topics are container nodes that organize other content into a hierarchical structure. Characteristics:
  • Cannot have files attached
  • Can contain child nodes (other topics or resources)
  • Form the navigation structure of your channel
  • Not counted as resources in channel statistics
Use cases:
  • Course modules
  • Subject categories
  • Unit folders
  • Organizational hierarchy

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Video

kind_id = "video"
Video content for instructional materials, lectures, demonstrations, and more. Supported formats:
  • MP4 (H.264)
  • WebM
  • Subtitles (VTT)
  • Thumbnails
Default learning activity: Watch Use cases:
  • Lecture recordings
  • Instructional demonstrations
  • Educational documentaries
  • Animated explanations
Videos can have multiple subtitle tracks in different languages and quality levels for adaptive streaming.

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Document

kind_id = "document"
Text-based learning materials and reference documents. Supported formats:
  • PDF
  • ePub
  • Thumbnails
Default learning activity: Read Use cases:
  • Textbooks
  • Worksheets
  • Reference materials
  • Reading passages
  • Study guides

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Audio

kind_id = "audio"
Audio-only educational content. Supported formats:
  • MP3
  • Thumbnails
Default learning activity: Listen Use cases:
  • Language learning recordings
  • Podcasts
  • Audio lectures
  • Music education
  • Pronunciation guides

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Exercise

kind_id = "exercise"
Interactive practice activities with assessment items. Characteristics:
  • Contains assessment items (questions)
  • Tracks learner mastery
  • Supports multiple question types
  • Configurable mastery criteria
Default learning activity: Practice Question types:
  • Multiple choice (single select)
  • Multiple choice (multiple select)
  • True/false
  • Numeric input
  • Free text input
  • Perseus exercises (interactive math)
Mastery models: From le_utils.constants.exercises: 
NUM_CORRECT_IN_A_ROW_3  # 3 correct in a row
NUM_CORRECT_IN_A_ROW_5  # 5 correct in a row (default)
NUM_CORRECT_IN_A_ROW_10 # 10 correct in a row
M_OUT_OF_N              # Custom M out of N attempts
Mastery configuration stored in extra_fields: 
{
  "type": "num_correct_in_a_row_5",
  "m": 5,
  "n": 5
}
Use cases:
  • Practice problems
  • Formative assessments
  • Quizzes
  • Skill checks

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HTML5

kind_id = "html5"
Interactive HTML5 applications and simulations. Characteristics:
  • Uploaded as ZIP archives
  • Must contain an index.html entry point
  • Can include JavaScript, CSS, images, etc.
  • Runs in an isolated iframe
Use cases:
  • Interactive simulations
  • Educational games
  • Custom web applications
  • PhET Interactive Simulations
  • Interactive diagrams
HTML5 apps must be self-contained. External resources (CDNs, external APIs) won’t work in offline Kolibri environments.

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H5P

kind_id = "h5p"
H5P (HTML5 Package) interactive content created with the H5P authoring tool. Characteristics:
  • Uploaded as .h5p files
  • Supports 50+ H5P content types
  • Interactive and engaging
Popular H5P types:
  • Interactive Video
  • Course Presentation
  • Drag and Drop
  • Fill in the Blanks
  • Timeline
  • Image Hotspots
Use cases:
  • Interactive presentations
  • Gamified learning
  • Interactive infographics
  • Branching scenarios

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Slideshow

kind_id = "slideshow"
Sequential presentation of images. Characteristics:
  • Multiple image files displayed in sequence
  • Learner-controlled navigation
Supported formats:
  • PNG
  • JPEG
Default learning activity: Read Use cases:
  • Image-based tutorials
  • Photo essays
  • Step-by-step instructions
  • Visual sequences

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ZIM

kind_id = "zim"
ZIM files are compressed archives of websites, particularly Wikipedia content. Characteristics:
  • Entire websites packaged for offline use
  • Efficient compression
  • Full-text search support
Use cases:
  • Wikipedia snapshots
  • WikiHow articles
  • Offline website archives
  • Reference encyclopedias
ZIM files from Kiwix can be directly imported into Kolibri Studio.

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Content kind model

The ContentKind model is referenced by content nodes: 
class ContentNode(MPTTModel, models.Model):
    kind = models.ForeignKey(
        "ContentKind",
        related_name="contentnodes",
        db_index=True,
        null=True,
        on_delete=models.SET_NULL,
    )

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File format associations

Each content kind supports specific file formats defined in format presets (le_utils.constants.format_presets): 
# Example preset structure
class FormatPreset:
    id: str              # Preset identifier
    readable_name: str   # Display name
    kind: str           # Associated content kind
    allowed_formats: List[str]  # Permitted file extensions
    multi_language: bool
    supplementary: bool
    thumbnail: bool
    subtitle: bool

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Choosing the right content type

Use Video content type. Supports multiple formats and subtitle tracks.
Use Exercise content type. Configure mastery criteria and create various question types.
Use HTML5 or H5P depending on your source:
  • H5P: Content created with H5P authoring tools
  • HTML5: Custom web applications or existing simulations
Use Document for PDFs and ePubs, or Slideshow for image-based content.
Use Topic to create folders and organize resources hierarchically.

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Content completion criteria

Different content types have different completion criteria in Kolibri:
  • Video/Audio: Completed when played to a certain percentage
  • Document: Completed when opened and scrolled
  • Exercise: Completed when mastery criteria are met
  • HTML5/H5P: Completed based on internal logic or time spent

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Default learning activities

From ContentKindLearningActivityDefaults mapping: 
{
  AUDIO: 'listen',
  DOCUMENT: 'read', 
  VIDEO: 'watch',
  EXERCISE: 'practice',
  SLIDESHOW: 'read'
}
These can be overridden in the content node’s learning_activities field.

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Next steps

Licensing

Understand licensing requirements for different content types

Organizing content

Learn how to structure content in your channel

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