Learning Systems for Environmental Informatics

Abstract

This paper is intended as an introduction to the workshop with identical title. It seizes the recent developments concerning software systems designed for web-based learning. After an introducing overview over the functionality of these software products a classification in authoring systems and learning environments is made. Afterwards the possible application fields for those systems concerning environmental informatics are examined. As a result a maximum potential is found when learning systems are coupled with standard systems in use, such as geographical information systems and environmental information systems. For this application range possible alternatives for software architecture are listed. Some application examples are given for loose and strong coupling of GIS, EIS, and learning systems.