Constructing Transformative Learning Communities in 3D Immersive Learning Environments

Constructing Transformative Learning Communities In 3D Immersive Learning Environments

Programs that prepare leaders for the 21st century must do so with the intent of equipping them not only with traditional reserves of knowledge and theory but with a focus on application of the knowledge base to build the skills necessary for collaborative leadership resulting in a community of practice. Effective leaders have the skills specifically to shape learning organizations into effective learning communities resulting in implementation of a shared vision. Shared or distributive leadership across many roles such as media coordinator, technology facilitator, curriculum facilitator, and teacher leaders may be challenging but essential to implementing true school reform (Timperley, 2005). To this end, higher education, like the K-12 settings for which its students are prepared to enter as leaders, must transform itself to meet the demands of this shifting paradigm of leadership (Bramming, 2007; Fried, 2007). The department of Leadership and Educational Studies (LES) at Appalachian State University has taken on this challenge through an interdisciplinary approach to build a cross-program Community of Practice (Wenger, 1998) of educational leaders who work collaboratively to transform teaching and learning in North Carolina. To this end, we have adopted a 3D immersive learning environment to deliver instruction and build community, and have developed a pedagogical framework that capitalizes on the affordances of this virtual environment. This chapter will describe our virtual environment and how we are currently using it to construct transformative learning communities to prepare school leaders.