ETC International College is an English language school accredited by the British Council. They offer a comprehensive range of English language training as well as special purpose courses. ETC was keen to understand how technology could be integrated most effectively to deliver online learning opportunities for both classroom and home-based learners.

The Word Detective is an interactive dictionary for primary pupils. It is designed to be 'phonics-friendly' and encourage pupils at key stages 1 and 2 to discover new words and sound-spelling relationships. Words in the dictionary can be 'sounded out' to hear the individual sounds that make up a word e.g. /AI/ /K/ /OR/ /N/ (acorn). The dictionary can be searched by keyword or browsed by category. In addition, pupils can search for words that contain specific sounds and see their different spelling patterns.

As part of the Skills for Life programme, learners with additional literacy or numeracy needs are offered extra support. To help learners identify whether they might benefit from extra support an easy to use self-assessment tool was needed. It would need to be incorporated into Bournemouth Adult Learning’s virtual learning environment to ensure it was accessible to all learners.

In early 2006, Bournemouth Adult Learning chose Moodle as the platform for their virtual learning environment (VLE). The VLE provides tutors with a facility to publish course materials and create interactive activities. Learners can access their course(s) at any time via the Internet to review course notes, take practical exercises and communicate with their tutor. Before launching the virtual learning environment, Bournemouth Adult Learning needed a partner to provide support with configuration, interface design, training and learner trials.

In late 2006, Dorset Adult Learning selected Moodle as their learning platform (or virtual learning environment). The learning platform is a key component of the organisations’ e-learning strategy and Dorset Adult Learning was keen to find a partner with experience of the Adult and Community Learning sector to assist in the rollout of the learning platform.
 

Chris Croft, founder of the Croft Management Centre, is one of the UK's leading management trainers and is a recognised authority in time management. He is also a successful author and has published his work using a variety of media. Chris was keen to explore how interactive media could be used to deliver a high quality and effective distance learning experience.

Croft Management Centre is an accredited provider of management training. Many of their training programmes are delivered to groups of employees within an organisation. Often the sessions are delivered on an ongoing basis by specialist lecturers and include a number of written assignments. Croft Management Centre recognised that a virtual learning environment could be invaluable in supporting learners enrolled on one of their courses.

Shield Corporate Finance had developed a business MOT tool, designed to help stakeholders perform a self assessment of their business against a number of key indicators. The paper-based tool, consisting of over 100 assessment criteria, proved to be extremely popular and was valued for its ease of use and the pertinency of the results. Shield was keen to explore opportunities to add value to the tool and deliver it in an online format.

Bournemouth Adult Learning undertook a project to investigate alternative approaches to supporting learners with hearing impairment in a classroom environment. One part of this project was the creation of a course in digital photography and photo editing.