Financial Professionals. This group provided for us, in layman’s terms, the basic concepts and principles of investing. They gave us the knowledge-base that forms the foundation of our courses. Many investor education resources stop here, satisfied that words on a page are sufficient to teach effective investing. We knew that this was not enough. Additional components were needed to effectively present and transmit this knowledge, so our search for input continued.

Academic Professionals. This group helped us to design an academically rigorous learning environment. They showed us that effective learning requires student interaction with the material, knowledge reinforcement through frequent testing and a motivational component that encourages students to complete the course. In close cooperation with members of the academic community we incorporated these elements into our course structure. As a result they have been approved for Continuing Education Units (CEU’s) at the college level. We still weren't satisfied.

Distance-Learning and Web Design Professionals. This group showed us how to develop a maximally efficient learning environment by incorporating the best elements of both a hardcopy format and an online format. The hardcopy component provides the convenience and familiarity of traditional learning materials. The Web-component provides the necessary dynamic element. Each course provides such vital elements as interactive calculators, Web links and an online testing module; all features impossible for hardcopy books to provide. The combination of hardcopy and online components provides each student of an NAOI course with a total learning experience, not just a dry "read". The online component also allows the course material to be updated on an as-needed basis, a critical capability for teaching the dynamic world of investing. One critical input remained.

Individual Investors. Last, but far from least, the course format and content were (and are) heavily influenced by input from individual investors of all experience levels. They told us, for example, to concentrate less on investing theory and more on practical application. They told us they needed a “roadmap” through the confusing maze of investing resources on the Web. They told us to design a course that allowed them to actively participate in the learning process. This group told us they were tired of “get rich quick” schemes and were willing to dedicate time and effort to the learning process. When this group spoke we listened, regardless of what the “experts” told us. With the final approval of students who actually completed NAOI courses in a classroom setting, we were satisfied that we had created the most effective investing educational products available anywhere.  

Thank You. To all of the people in each of these groups who contributed their valuable time and input to the creation of our Study Course philosophy and implementation, the NAOI owes a great deal of thanks. Because of your hard work and belief in the NAOI mission we are able to present a unique learning environment that is unsurpassed in the field of investor education. And thousands of individual investors will benefit. We, and they, thank you.