Rebuilding our Toolkits for the future-How social science research educators changed their teaching in 2020 and 2021 to be fit for a digital future

ABSTRACT

Adaptation to digital teaching during the COVID-19 crisis was very much discipline-specific. Subject-specific pedagogical concepts were sometimes more or sometimes less easy to transfer to this new environment. In particular, teaching areas like social science research methods (SSRM) that on the one hand require personal interaction, practical application and individual support of students, and on the other hand have little previous standards and didactic know-how, with digital or virtual teaching elements, faced specific challenges. In an Austrian interview case study, experiences of SSRM educators have been analyzed. Digitization related changes are less apparent on the content level, but pronounced at the didactic level. Main challenges are encouraging students' attention and participation, providing opportunities for good collaboration on all levels. Chances for the future are seen in the newly expanded pedagogical toolbox. Implementing tools supporting communication in the virtual space could free resources for direct support for students. © HEAd 2022. All Rights Reserved.