Who we are: Proximity Online Course Developers is a new start-up enterprise drawing on the proven talents and expertise of a small team of highly experienced writers, learning designers and e-learning developers. All of us have worked on contract to universities, colleges and NGOs over the past twenty years, developing a wide range of courses up to post-graduate level. We have also kept abreast of new developments in educational technology and online course design approaches. We understand:
- The critical importance of teaching/learning texts being understandable and engaging, especially where the subject matter is unavoidably complex, or involves fine distinctions
- The different level descriptors associated with different academic levels on national qualification frameworks
- The centrality of Shulman's concept of pedagogic content knowledge - employing those active learning approaches and technologies that are most appropriate to each particular subject or content domain – approaches that will challenge students and help them to achieve understanding, insight, and an ability to apply, evaluate and use knowledge in new situations
- That there are academically legitimate ways to ensure that students don’t have to struggle to familiarise themselves with terms and language that are new to them, especially if they are studying remotely. And that some of these ways (but not all) depend on the skillful use of digital learning technologies.