Distance Learning and eLearning evaluation represent core activities for SCIENTER. In particular the research and evaluation activity focuses on different aspects of Distance Learning and eLearning such as: teaching/learning materials and resources, platforms, processes, competences and technological applications.
Among several European projects and initiatives that SCIENTER has coordinated or in which it has participated as partner, we can mention the following:
From 1995 to 2004 SCIENTER was responsible for coordinating the Regional Commission for the Certification of Open and Distance Learning Materials (CERFAD) activity. The CERFAD Commission was appointed by the Emilia-Romagna Region to take charge of the certification of Open and Distance learning (ODL) materials, in particular those produced with public funds, so as to assure the dissemination of quality materials within the regional vocational training system.
In particular the CERFAD Commission assessed the methodological, technical and scientific quality of ODL materials in order to certify the materials which were considered appropriate for diffusion and free circulation within the regional system.
In 2001 SCIENTER conducted the evaluation of a selection of learning materials of the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya, the first European Virtual University establish.
The development of an evaluation and certification system of competency for professionals working in Open Distance Learning programmes was carried out by SCIENTER for the Ministry of General and Professional Education of the Russian Federation within the DELPHI Project in 1999-2001 (TACIS Programme, European Commission – D.G. Foreign Relations -).
In 2001 SCIENTER was involved in the VALNET Project “European Schoolnet Validation Networks of Excellence” for the European Education Ministries Association (EUN), with the purpose of building a conceptual framework (theoretical model, guidelines and tools) for validating ICT applications within the school systems at European level (IST Programme Technologies of Information Society).
The TRENDS Project -Training Educators through Networks and Distributed Systems -coordinated by the Lambrakis Research Foundation with the participation of six European Education Ministries (Italy, France, United Kingdom, Greece, Portugal and Spain) in which SCIENTER coordinated the project activities at national level and the evaluation of the TRENDS model at European level, supported by the Tavistock Institute – EDRU of London (within the TELEMATICS APPLICATIONS PROGRAMME),.