Toward Learning Grid Infrastructures: An Overview of Research on Grid Learning Services

& The Learning Grid refers to the promise of projects that pool together instructional materials on distant computers. The Grid provides a wide range of available and potential learning services and resources and does not simply refer to taking advantage of the multiplying effects of connectivity. It supports the personalized use of the collective intelligence provided by networked computers and supports the exchange, negotiation, and dialogue within and among virtual, evolutionary, and pervasive learning communities. This article provides an overview of papers from the first workshop on Grid Learning Services, which brought together researchers discussing their views of infrastructure, services, and resources. It also addresses several research questions, including: What are the relevant resources and services and how can they be identified or built? How do they rely on the basic open Grid service architecture? How can intelligent tutoring systems be built on the Grid? How do the performance, efficiency, usability, and the global ability of those services meet individual and collective users’ expectations?