Interactive computer aided learning in social science education: strategies, scenarios, tools, and evaluations of an e-learning environment at the Department of Social and Cultural Anthropology of the University of Vienna

Abstract : This paper presents the e-learning project “Strategies for Networked Learning” at the Department of Social and Cultural Anthropology of the University of Vienna, its structure, objectives and technological infrastructure. Furthermore, it discusses a blended learning case study and the selected results of an evaluation of blended learning courses conducted within the project. As these evaluations indicate, blended learning scenarios need to be very well planned and evaluated by considering the format of the course and the divergent experiences of students and teachers alike. In addition, blended learning requires the systematic integration of online phases into face-to-face periods in form and content, transparency in student-teacher interaction as well as continuous student support during the online phases.