Abstract: The role of ICT and design of learning environments which integrate virtual learning environments in higher education is investigated. In design and development of an effective and adaptable learning environment, educational technology and information communication technology have an important role. Powerful virtual learning environments are assisting complex tasks, providing authentic contexts for active and self-directed learning and collaboration, assisting the needs of individual students. The implementation of new educational technologies based on web 2.0 is becoming a focal point of higher education institutions. However there is little comparative analysis in the field. The paper is outlining, based on the comparative analyse, teaching and learning approaches and its impacts on problem solving, team work, interpersonal skills, and communication.
The basic assumption for comparative analysis of powerful learning environments influencing teaching, learning process and outcomes quality, efficiency, and decision-making models is that meanings are distributed and interpreted through many representational and communicative means. Further is investigated how they affect teaching and learning and which are basic tensions among variety of factors shaping arena for research. The findings of the survey among students of civil and geodetic engineering (N = 350) conducted in 2009 are presented to support investigated teaching and learning practices.

Brief Biography of the Speaker:
Andreja Istenic Starcic holds a B. Sc. in Sociology of Culture (1998) and Ph.D. in Education (2002) University of Ljubljana, Slovenia. She received habilitation for assistant professor in didactics and educational technology. Her research interests include Social impacts of information and communication technology, Evaluation of cognitive performance, Social interaction, Usability, Human decision making and problem solving, Innovative user interface concepts supporting diverse user groups (disable, personality traits, cognitive styles), Virtual simulations and games.
She has been a member of research groups:
-Research in education (2000-2002), University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Arts and Humanities;
-Management and informatisation of education and employability (2004-2004), University of Primorska, Faculty of Management;
-E-construction engineering (2006-), University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Civil and Geodetic engineering, Institute of Construction, Earthquake Engineering and Computing.
Dr. Istenic Starcic has published several referred journal and conference papers, workbooks and monographs. Her publication also includes invited state-of-the-art chapters in international scientific monographs. She is in editorial board of international journals: International journal: Emerging technologies in learning - iJET http://online-journals.org/i-jet/about.
International journal of advanced corporate learning - iJAC http://online-journals.org/i-jac/
Dr. Starcic is a convenor in The European Educational Research Association EERA Didactic section http://www.eera-ecer.eu/networks/didactics/
She was giving courses at Aalto University Helsinki Finland, Belfast Queens University Northern Ireland, Lulea University of Technology Sweden, and University of Turku Finland.