Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
The Achology community on Circle organises everything into spaces — dedicated areas for discussions, events, course content, and resources. You’ll find them listed in the left-hand navigation bar, grouped by purpose. Click any space to explore what’s happening there.
The short answer
- The left-hand sidebar lists all available spaces, grouped by category
- Each space serves a specific purpose: discussions, events, resources, introductions, course conversations
- Some spaces allow you to post; others are read-only resource areas
- The academy calendar shows all upcoming VALTS, PALS, and community events
- The member directory lets you search for and connect with fellow learners
- Use the search bar to find specific posts, topics, or members across the entire community
The full answer
First impressions of any community platform can feel overwhelming. There’s a lot to explore, and it’s not immediately obvious where to start. Here’s how the Achology community fits together — and how to find what you’re looking for without wandering aimlessly.
The sidebar is your map
Everything in the community lives in spaces, and you’ll find every space listed in the navigation bar on the left side of your screen. On the mobile app, tap the menu icon to reveal the same navigation.
Spaces group together by purpose. You’ll see clusters for things like getting started, general community discussion, course-specific conversations, events and live learning, and resources. The groupings exist to make your first visit intuitive — you don’t need to memorise where things live, because the labels tell you.
Click any space to enter it. You’ll see existing posts, pinned announcements, and (in most spaces) a “New Post” button if you want to contribute.
Key areas to find early
Welcome and introductions. When you first join, look for a new member or introductions space. Post a brief introduction about yourself — who you are, what brought you to Achology, and what you’re hoping to develop. Other members will respond, and you’ll start building connections from day one.
The academy calendar. This is where you’ll find all upcoming VALTS and PALS sessions — the live events that drive your CPD journey. Browse upcoming events, read descriptions to understand what each session covers, and RSVP to anything that interests you. The calendar displays events in your local time zone (as long as you’ve set it in your profile).
Discussion spaces. These are the conversational heart of the community. Members share insights from their studies, ask questions about course content, discuss real-world application of what they’re learning, and support each other through challenges. Browse existing threads before posting — your question may already have a thoughtful answer waiting.
Resource spaces. Some spaces function as libraries rather than discussion forums. They contain curated materials, guides, links, and reference content that supports your learning. These spaces tend to be read-only — you’ll browse and consume rather than post.
The PALS board. This is where you coordinate one-to-one focused practice sessions with fellow members. You’ll use it to offer and request practice opportunities as you progress through your member journey.
Posting, searching, and engaging
Creating a post. Navigate to any discussion space and click “New Post” in the upper right corner. You can format text, embed images and videos, tag other members using @mentions, and attach files. Try typing a forward slash (/) in the post body to pull up a menu of formatting options. Once satisfied, hit “Publish post” — or save as a draft if you want to refine it later.
Searching. The search bar at the top of the community lets you find posts, topics, and members across all spaces. If you remember a concept someone discussed but can’t recall which space it appeared in, search will track it down.
Notifications. You control what triggers notifications and how you receive them. Click your profile picture, then “Notifications” to customise. You can opt into notifications for specific spaces that matter most to you and mute ones that don’t. Getting this right early prevents both information overload and accidental disengagement.
Read-only vs interactive spaces
Not every space invites contributions. Some — particularly resource libraries and announcement spaces — restrict posting to administrators or senior members. You’ll know a space is read-only if the “New Post” button doesn’t appear. This isn’t a limitation on your membership; it’s how the community keeps certain spaces curated and useful rather than cluttered.
Don’t overthink it
The best way to learn the layout is to explore it. Click through the spaces, read a few posts, attend an event, introduce yourself. Within a week of active engagement, the navigation will feel second nature. No one expects you to know where everything lives on day one.
Next step
Log into the Achology community, explore three spaces you haven’t visited yet, and post an introduction if you haven’t already. Then check the academy calendar and RSVP to your first event.
Relevant URLs
https://achology.com/achology/achology-membership/
https://achology.com/achology/academy/
https://achology.com/achology/academy/certification/
https://achology.com/achology/courses/
https://circle.so/features
https://achology.com
