Most of us have had experiences where we have spent hours surfing the internet in search of information, only to find that we have to sort through piles of junk to find the precious "nuggets" that we require.

We have also probably spent valuable days or hours in training seminars or on educational programs - "on line" or in a classroom - waiting for the instructor to get to the material or ideas that we really need. Think of the 80/20 rule. Typically, 80% of the value of a classroom learning experience might be delivered in 20% of the total course time. In selecting a learning or course provider, it is vital to avoid this problem and opt for systems that have the flexibility required to meet specific learning needs as rapidly as possible.

The best e-learning systems are designed with this need clearly in mind. Tagging, hyper-linking and search capacities built into the operational core of the product can help users find exactly what they need. Further, as technology develops, each learning experience should be capable of being accessed in a flexible way to allow the user to drive directly to what is needed, in a manner that suits their learning style.

Many e-Learning experiences are still "course-based". This means that learners usually have to plough through the whole course to get what they need. It is the old "first generation" instructional model in electronic form. The learner is, in effect, in a classroom where the instructor or course designer is in control.

Internet and granular learning object technology avoids this problem by allowing us to reinvent the concept of a course. Instead of presenting pre-determined learning paths, it can cluster learning experiences that can be accessed in any way the learner wishes. This creates immense flexibility and allows users to focus on exactly what they need. If a learner already understands something, he or she can start "in the middle", saving time and maintaining learner motivation. If the learning experience is pre-structured so that the learner can apply what is learned to his or her work situation, learning can also lead to immediate increased value on the job.