Thank you for taking the time to examine these examples of our work, which are presented in the form of a "Demonstration Course".   All text in the current color represents commentary by Online Learning Consultants Ltd. (OLC Ltd.) on effective practices in online learning - the rest of the material illustrates how we at OLC Ltd. apply those principles to the design and development of e-learning materials.

We hope that your review of the various instructional strategies we have used, along with the additional information on effective practices in online learning, will encourage you to consider OLC Ltd. as your company of choice for future e-learning projects.

The field of online learning has developed rapidly for a number of reasons:

1. The "test of time" has clearly demonstrated that e-learning is an effective way to provide high quality learning opportunities at all levels of the formal education system, as well as for technical training, recurrent professional development and informal learning.
2. Learners are demanding greater flexibility and ease of access to learning opportunities.
3. Technological advances in computer and internet capabilities and resources, including Web 2.0 social networking technologies, have significantly expanded the variety of instructional strategies that can be used to design, develop and deliver online learning services.
4. More informed, research-based approaches to instructional design, combined with technological advances, enable course developers to design e-learning environments more consistent with our current understandings of how people learn.

However, many working professionals who are involved, only secondarily, in developing and/or delivering online courses have a limited amount of time to become and remain current with ongoing developments in this field. Indeed, the same holds true even for those with education backgrounds who are working full time in the field. They are often hard pressed to remain current given the pressures that exist to design, develop and deliver significant numbers of online courses, usually within restrictive budgets.

Accordingly, OLC Ltd's approach to course development emphasizes three important considerations: first, to ensure that course design, development and delivery adheres to current, research-based effective practices in online learning; second, to minimize development time from project approval to initial delivery; and third, to develop effective instructional and learner assessment materials within a limited budget.