OLI builds smarter courses that don’t just teach—they learn

To understand how we got here, let’s look back at where it started

Could we make learning better for everyone—using science?

In 2001, instructors were overwhelmed, and students struggled to keep up. We believed that learning science could help us design smarter online courses—and improve outcomes for everyone.

Watch how OLI started — and why it works

Early OLI platform (2002)

Early OLI platform (2002)

We started building courses that could teach

With support from the Hewlett Foundation, we set out to build online courses that did more than deliver content—they enacted instruction, gave real-time feedback, and evolved with every learner.

Once students started learning with OLI…

  • They learned more in less time
  • They got feedback exactly when they needed it
  • Instructors taught with greater insight
  • Courses improved through real student data
OLI's proven results

Studies demonstrating OLI’s effectiveness

Torus platform (2020)

Torus platform (2020)

We’re evolving to meet educators’ needs

In 2020, we launched Torus, building on OLI’s legacy to create an integrated platform for authoring, delivery, research, and continuous improvement. Torus combines learning science and data to empower educators, enhance the learner experience, and support ongoing experimentation.

At OLI, we’re working toward a world where learning is…

Grounded in science

We use learning science and research to design courses that help students truly understand—not just memorize.

Accessible to all

Whether you’re an independent learner or in a classroom, our courses are designed to meet you where you are—free or low-cost, always high-quality.

Powered by community

We build with and for educators, researchers, and institutions—because better learning comes from working together.

We keep improving—by listening to the data

Behind every OLI course is a continuous improvement loop. Students interact. Data is captured. Designers and researchers learn from it—and use those insights to refine the learning experience for everyone.

How OLI leverages data

We’re a flagship of the Simon Initiative

As a flagship project of The Simon Initiative, the Open Learning Initiative (OLI) puts decades of learning science into action.

OLI provides a research-grounded platform for delivering high-quality, data-rich course materials that support both teaching and discovery. Built on CMU’s strengths in cognitive science, computer engineering, and human-computer interaction, OLI empowers educators and researchers to:

  • Teach using OLI’s interactive course catalog with built-in learning feedback

  • Design new courses or full programs using OLI’s learning engineering methodology

  • Convert existing instruction to OLI’s framework for scalable research and improvement

  • Integrate new tools and technologies for data science and instruction

  • Pilot grant-funded innovations and measure learning impact

  • Collaborate with other Simon Initiative partners to tackle shared learning challenges

“Improvement in post secondary education will require converting teaching from a solo sport to a community based research activity.”

Herb Simon, Nobel laureate and professor at Carnegie Mellon University

Image of Herb Simon, Nobel laureate and professor at Carnegie Mellon University

Smarter learning starts here—and keeps evolving.