"Learning to Research" in a Virtual Learning Environment: A Case Study on the Effectiveness of a Socio-constructivist Learning Design

Learning is the basis for research and lifelong training. The implementation of virtual environments for developing this competency requires the use of effective learning models. In this study we present an experiment in positive learning from the virtual campus of the Complutense University of Madrid (UCM). In order to carry it out we have used E-Ling, an e-learning environment that has been developed with an innovative didactic design based on a socio-constructivist learning approach. E-Ling has been used since 2006 to train future teachers and researchers in “learning to research”. Some of the result of this experiment have been statistically analysed in order to compare them with other learning models. From the results obtained results we have concluded that E-Ling is a more productive proposal for developing competences in learning to research.