Connexions collections are groups of modules arranged in a specific order and labeled by the author, editor or instructor building the collection. The modules inside the collection can come from anywhere in the Content Commons (the Connexions repository).

Collections can be many different things, for different purposes. Collections of modules can be created to serve as textbooks, manuals, entire courses, or some other purpose intended by the collection creator.

For certain types of collections, Connexions provides subtypes that are used when displaying the collection. For instance, readers will see a Start Course button on the collection page for a subtype of 'course', but a Start Report button for a subtype of 'report'.

Specifying a subtype: Subtypes can be chosen when creating a collection or by editing an existing collection's metadata. All collections have a base type of 'collection' and all collections created before August 2007 have a collection subtype of 'course', which authors can change if they wish. Changes do not take effect until the collection is republished.

The following subtypes are supported:

Collection Subtype	Purpose
Course	Material for a school class or university course
Manual	Technical documentation
Proceedings	Proceedings from a conference or meeting
Technical report	Technical report by a school or institution, usually within a series
Report	Prepared report that isn't part of a technical report series
Textbook	Book for educational use
Book	Book that is not used as a textbook
Master's thesis	Master's level thesis
Ph.D. thesis	Ph.D. level thesis