Title
The Pedagogical Considerations in the Design of Virtual Worlds for Organization Learning
Department/School
Teacher Education
Date of this version
2012
Document Type
Book Chapter
Keywords
3D learning experience, virtual community of practice (CoP), Second Life, metaverses, 3D learning environment, 3D virtual worlds, virtual teams, 3D immersive learning
Abstract
An increasing number of organizations have established presences in Second Life or virtual worlds for organizational learning. The types of activities range from staff training, annual meetings, to leadership development and commercial transactions. This chapter reviews relevant literature on how virtual worlds, especially Second Life, are utilized for organizational learning. The discussions include leveraging the affordances of virtual worlds for learning, integrating design principles of 3D immersive learning, and examining examples of actual workplace learning in virtual worlds. Specific emphasis will be placed on the translation of applicable learning theories into the pedagogical design of virtual worlds. Furthermore, the chapter examines student perspectives of an actual course on immersive learning that took place in Second Life. Student perspectives are summarized in six strands: challenging and informative learning, engagement, activity structures, transformation, collaborative and democratic participation, and new opportunities. The six themes are important factors for designers of 3D learning environments to ensure quality immersive learning experiences.
DOI
10.4018/978-1-60960-762-3.ch030
Published in
Handbook of Research on Practices and Outcomes in Virtual Worlds and Environments
Citation/Other Information
Chou, C. C., & Hart, R. K. (2012). The pedagogical considerations in the design of virtual worlds for organization learning. In H. Yang, & S. Yuen (Eds.), Handbook of research on practices and outcomes in virtual worlds and environments (pp. 551-569). IGI Global. https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-60960-762-3.ch030