Maps learning paths with prerequisite skills, milestone assessments, and recommended resource sequences.
Use this skill when you need to:
DO NOT use this skill for individual lesson plans (use lesson-plan), course sales pages, or academic degree planning. This is for mapping the full journey from beginner to competent in a specific skill area.
A LEARNING PATH IS A MAP, NOT A MANDATE — IT SHOWS THE MOST EFFICIENT ROUTE FROM "I KNOW NOTHING" TO "I CAN DO THIS CONFIDENTLY" WHILE ALLOWING LEARNERS TO MOVE AT THEIR OWN PACE.
| Input |
|---|
| What to Ask |
|---|
| Default |
|---|
| Skill or domain | "What skill or topic does this learning path cover?" | No default — must be provided |
| Target learner | "Who is this for — complete beginners, career changers, upskilling professionals?" | Complete beginners |
| End goal | "What should the learner be able to do at the end of this path?" | No default — must be provided |
| Estimated duration | "How long should the full path take?" | 3-6 months at 5-10 hours/week |
| Resource format | "Are resources free, paid, your own content, or curated from external sources?" | Mix of free and recommended paid |
GATE: Confirm the skill, target learner, and end goal before mapping the path.
Organize the path into 3-5 stages:
## [Learning Path Title]
### Stage 1: Foundation (Weeks 1-4)
**Goal:** [What the learner can do after completing this stage]
**Prerequisites:** None
**Milestone:** [How they prove they're ready to move on]
### Stage 2: Core Skills (Weeks 5-10)
**Goal:** [What the learner can do after completing this stage]
**Prerequisites:** Stage 1 milestone passed
**Milestone:** [Assessment or project]
### Stage 3: Application (Weeks 11-16)
**Goal:** [What the learner can do after completing this stage]
**Prerequisites:** Stage 2 milestone passed
**Milestone:** [Real-world project or portfolio piece]
### Stage 4: Mastery (Weeks 17-24)
**Goal:** [What the learner can do after completing this stage]
**Prerequisites:** Stage 3 milestone passed
**Milestone:** [Capstone project, certification, or demonstration]
For each stage, provide:
## Stage [X]: [Stage Name]
### Learning Objectives
By the end of this stage, you will be able to:
1. [Objective 1 — specific and measurable]
2. [Objective 2]
3. [Objective 3]
### Topics Covered
| Topic | Description | Estimated Hours |
|-------|-------------|----------------|
| [Topic 1] | [Brief description] | [X] hours |
| [Topic 2] | [Brief description] | [X] hours |
| [Topic 3] | [Brief description] | [X] hours |
### Recommended Resources
| Resource | Type | Cost | Notes |
|----------|------|------|-------|
| [Resource 1] | [Book / Course / Video / Article] | [Free / $X] | [Why this resource] |
| [Resource 2] | [Type] | [Cost] | [Notes] |
| [Resource 3] | [Type] | [Cost] | [Notes] |
### Practice Activities
- [Activity 1 — hands-on practice applying the topic]
- [Activity 2]
- [Activity 3]
### Milestone Assessment
**Format:** [Quiz / Project / Skill demonstration]
**Passing criteria:** [What qualifies as "ready to move on"]
**If not passed:** [What to review before retaking]
Map which topics depend on which:
## Prerequisite Map
[Topic A] → No prerequisites (start here)
[Topic B] → Requires Topic A
[Topic C] → Requires Topic A
[Topic D] → Requires Topics B + C
[Topic E] → Requires Topic D
[Capstone] → Requires all topics
Help learners self-assess where to start:
## Where Should You Start?
**Start at Stage 1 if:**
- You have never [done this skill] before
- You cannot define [key term 1] or [key term 2]
- You have no practical experience in this area
**Start at Stage 2 if:**
- You understand the basics but have not applied them
- You can [basic skill] but struggle with [intermediate skill]
- You have completed a beginner course or tutorial
**Start at Stage 3 if:**
- You have been practicing for [X] months
- You can [intermediate skill] independently
- You want to refine your approach and build a portfolio
**Start at Stage 4 if:**
- You have [X] months/years of experience
- You want to master advanced techniques or specialize
- You are preparing for [certification / career transition]
## Learning Path Progress Tracker
| Stage | Topic | Status | Milestone | Date Completed |
|-------|-------|--------|-----------|---------------|
| 1 | [Topic 1] | ☐ Not started / ◐ In progress / ☑ Complete | | |
| 1 | [Topic 2] | ☐ / ◐ / ☑ | | |
| 1 | Milestone 1 | ☐ / ◐ / ☑ | [Pass/Fail] | |
| 2 | [Topic 3] | ☐ / ◐ / ☑ | | |
## Time Commitment
| Stage | Duration | Hours/Week | Total Hours |
|-------|----------|-----------|-------------|
| Foundation | 4 weeks | 5-8 hours | 20-32 hours |
| Core Skills | 6 weeks | 8-10 hours | 48-60 hours |
| Application | 6 weeks | 10-12 hours | 60-72 hours |
| Mastery | 8 weeks | 8-10 hours | 64-80 hours |
| **Total** | **24 weeks** | | **192-244 hours** |