Background
Established in July 2003, the Eduserv Foundation undertook activities to support the effective application of information and communication technology (ICT) in education. A number of distinct programmes were launched including Eduserv Research Grants; Assistive Technology Licences; Tutor Guides for Vocational Education; and Information Literacy initiatives. The Foundation also sponsored meetings, events and other activities.
Activities were focused in the following areas:
- Resource discovery, metadata and open access.
- Access and identity management.
- Service architectures and Web 2.0.
- E-portfolios and the use of 3-D virtual worlds such as Second Life in education.
Compatibility with Eduserv’s mission
The project complements Eduserv’s mission:
“Our aim is to realise the benefits of ICT for learners and researchers at every level. We do this both through the successful services we provide and in the research that we fund as a result of our success.”
In addition, the project is compatible with the aims of the Eduserv Foundation:
“The Eduserv Foundation contributes to Eduserv’s charitable mission, realising the effective use of ICT for learners and researchers, by offering research grants, contributing to international interoperability standards-making activities, seed-funding and developing pilot projects and offering advice on good practice.”
The project fulfils all of the Second Life remit of the Foundation:
“Why are we in SL? Partly to try to evaluate what is happening in SL, particularly with regards to its use in education, and partly with the intention of providing help and support to educators and librarians as they begin to make use of SL as part of their service delivery to end-users.”
Eduserv Research
In 2009, the Eduserv Foundation became Eduserv Research. Virtual World Watch continues to be funded by Eduserv until March 2010.
