Innovations in Teaching Social Research Methods At The University in The Digital Era: An Italian Case Study

Abstract

In recent years ICT is having a significant impact upon learning and teaching processes, emphasizing collaborative discourse, knowledge building and the performance of real tasks. This paper illustrates the design activity for the undergraduate course in Social Research Methods offered as part of the bachelor degree in Sociology at the University of Salerno, which will be provided in a blended format, i.e. the use of an e-learning platform as support for the frontal lectures. In particular, the paper examines the construction processes of this online environment aimed to encourage the acquisition of methodological expertise, with students performing specific activities which characterise the social research process.