.. _create_new_skill_ref:

Create a New Skill
==================

Each lesson needs at least one skill. These are the key abilities learners will
develop throughout the lesson. Creating a skill provides meaningful benchmarks
for the learner and makes it easier to test what they've learned.

**In this article, you will learn how to:**

* :ref:`Create a new skill <create_skill_step_ref>`
* :ref:`Use the skill editor <skill_editor_ref>`
* :ref:`Write the concept card for a skill <concept_card_ref>`
* :ref:`Publish changes to a skill <publish_skill_ref>`

---

.. _create_skill_step_ref:

How to Create a Skill
---------------------

1. Select your **profile picture** in the top navigation menu, then
   select **Topic and Skills Dashboard**.
2. From the **Topics and Skills Dashboard**, select **Create New Skill**.
3. In the **Create New Skill** panel:

   * Enter a description for the new skill under the **New Skill Description** text field.
   * Under **Review Material**, enter a brief overview of what the skill is and how to use it.

     .. tip:: For example, if the skill is identifying prime numbers, the review material might describe what qualifies a number as prime.

4. Select **Save.** This will open the **Skill Editor**, where you can add more information and refine the skill as needed.

.. admonition:: Note
   :class: info

   Once you select Save, the skill is created but **not published**. Use the
   Skill Editor to expand and refine what you've started before publishing.

---

.. _skill_editor_ref:

Use the Skill Editor
====================

The **Skill Editor** consists of five parts designed to help learners understand the skill and help question writers create effective content.

Skill Description
-----------------
A short description of the skill learners will develop. This appears whenever the skill is referenced.

Review Material
---------------
A quick overview of the skill's use and relevance.

Misconceptions
--------------
This section is used to write any misconceptions that learners may have about a skill. Topic managers and admins use these to create targeted feedback for common mistakes.

Rubrics
-------
Brief descriptions of what an easy, medium, or hard question looks like for this skill. This helps question creators maintain consistent difficulty.

---

.. _concept_card_ref:

Write the Concept Card for a Skill
==================================

In Oppia, learners interact with a **Concept Card** when they need extra help.
It consists of two sections:

* **Skill Description**: The name/title of the skill.
* **Review materials**: A brief overview of the skill and how to perform it.

.. admonition:: Pro-Tip
   :class: tip

   When writing your concept card, think about what a learner might find confusing and how you would explain the skill to them directly.

.. figure:: /images/admins/concept_card_elements.png
   :alt: Elements of a Concept Card
   :align: center

   *Fig. 1. Elements of a Concept Card*



---

.. _publish_skill_ref:

Publish Changes to a Skill
==========================

After refining the skill in the editor, you must publish it to make it available for use.

To publish changes:

1. Open the **Skill Editor** for that skill.
2. Select **Publish Changes** in the navigation menu.
3. In the text field, describe the changes you made.
4. Select **Publish Changes.**

.. admonition:: Important
   :class: warning

   You cannot publish a skill until the **Skill Description** and **Review Material** fields are completed.

---

Assign a Skill to a Topic
-------------------------

After creation, a skill is not visible to learners until it is assigned to a topic.

1. In the **Topics and Skills Dashboard**, find your skill.
2. Next to the **Unassigned** label, select the **three vertical dots**.

.. figure:: /images/admins/skill_dropdown_menu.png
   :alt: Skill dropdown menu
   :align: center

   *Fig. 2. Skill dropdown menu on the Skills Dashboard*

3. In the dropdown menu, select **Assign to topic**.
4. Search for and select the desired topic.
5. Select **Save**.

---

Delete a Skill
--------------

To delete a skill:

1. Visit the **Topics and Skills Dashboard**.
2. Under the **Skills** tab, find the skill you want to delete.
3. Select the **three vertical dots** to the right of the skill.
4. Select **Delete** from the dropdown menu.