Communities in Virtual Learning Spaces

Concerns

This research group is dedicated to exploring the constitution and evolution of communities in virtual learning spaces. Using social VR and interactive 3D technologies, it aims to explore and increase interactivity and engagement in digital educational environments. By analyzing the adoption and implementation of these technologies, we aim to transform pedagogical practices and promote an inclusive educational landscape that can provide educational access and experiences for all learners, regardless of their physical, cognitive or social conditions.

Mitglieder der Forschungsgruppe — Forschungsgruppenmitglieder (Norbert Pengel, Thomas T. Richter, Emma Weidhaas, Jonathan Dyrna, Johanna Spirling, Mattis Altmann, Kevin Hoang, Alexander Clauss; v. li. n. re.)

Main topics

Development and evaluation of social VR applications for educational contexts
Investigation of support models within online communities
Design and implementation of immersive VR learning environments

Research questions

The research group "Communities in Virtual Learning Spaces" is interested in the organizational, didactic and individual level. It aims to take a holistic view of the object of investigation. The following central questions serve as a starting point.

Organizational level:

What are the requirements for the design of learning and knowledge communities in virtual environments?
What factors influence the suitability and implementation of (social) VR learning environments and tools for educational and communication purposes?

Didactic level:

How should supervision concepts be designed to support online knowledge communities?
How can (social) VR learning environments and interactive virtual 360-degree panoramic learning spaces be designed didactically to promote the learning experience and learning outcome?

Individual level:

How can learners and learning facilitators build skills for proactive participation in communities in virtual environments?
What factors influence the technology acceptance of (social) VR learning environments and tools?

Research approaches and methods

The group uses both qualitative and quantitative research methods to gain insights into the dynamics of use and pedagogical effectiveness of VR in educational environments. This includes the development of prototypical learning environments and their empirical evaluation.
Competencies for the implementation of design science research approaches and technology acceptance models as well as (meta-)statistical social research will be developed and expanded.

Further information

Publications

118 Entries

2025

The K.I.S.S. project – an overviewSeher, H., Kettler, J., Anthofer, A., Aymanns, K., Britz, S., Dewald, M., Dierschow, F. & 11 others, 11 Jul 2025Electronic (full-text) versionResearch output: Contribution to conferences > Abstract
EXPLORING THE IMPACT OF AI-BASED ASSISTANCE FUNCTIONS ON COLLABORATIVE BUSINESS PROCESSESPaul, J. & Richter, T. T., Mar 2025, INTED2025 Proceedings: 19th International Technology, Education and Development Conference. p. 6701-6709, 9 p.Electronic (full-text) versionResearch output: Contribution to book/conference proceedings/anthology/report > Conference contribution
Digitale und KI-gestützte Lösungen für einen sicheren und effizienten Rückbau kerntechnischer Anlagen: Das Forschungs- und Entwicklungsvorhaben „K.I.S.S.“Kettler, J., Wippler, D., Anthofer, A. P., Grauel, B., Koslowski, D., Göpel, C., Nester, A. & 34 others, 6 Jan 2025, In: ATW - Internationale Zeitschrift fur Kernenergie. 70, 1, p. 41-48, 8 p.Electronic (full-text) versionResearch output: Contribution to journal > Research article
Partizipative Gestaltung einer Vorstudie für eine OER- Initiative in der Hochschulbildung: Ein delphigestützter AnsatzVogel, A., Müller, J., Liebold, M., Becker, N. & Dyrna, J., Jan 2025, Digitales Lehren und Lernen an der Hochschule: Strategien – Bedingungen – Umsetzung. Lorenz, M., Franz, J., Herrmann, D., Lindner, K. & Staake, T. (eds.).p. 55-68, 14 p.Research output: Contribution to book/conference proceedings/anthology/report > Chapter in book/Anthology/Report
Building Future Skills: Insights from a Five-Day International HackathonRichter, T. T. & Stasik, M., 2025, Proceedings Gemeinschaften in Neuen Medien. KI & Menschlichkeit: Technologie in sozialer Verantwortung: 28. Workshop GeNeMe‘25 Gemeinschaften in Neuen Medien. Köhler, T., Schoop, E. & Sonntag, R. (eds.).Research output: Contribution to book/conference proceedings/anthology/report > Conference contribution
Designing Coil Courses with Impact: A Systematic Approach Using the Virtual Collaborative Learning FrameworkSchoop, E. & Altmann, M., 2025, Higher Education Contemporary Learning Landscape: Virtual Collaborative Learning. Dermol, V., Demaj, E., Nuka, D. & Altmann, M. (eds.). ToKnowPress, p. 23-34Electronic (full-text) versionResearch output: Contribution to book/conference proceedings/anthology/report > Chapter in book/Anthology/Report
From words to worth: Methodological sound LLM-based literature-research featuring the compaction frameworkRichter, T. & Heidmann, N., 2025, INTED2025 Proceedings. p. 5813-5822, 10 p.Electronic (full-text) versionResearch output: Contribution to book/conference proceedings/anthology/report > Conference contribution
Higher Education Contemporary Learning Landscape: Virtual Collaborative LearningDermol, V., Demaj, E., Nuka, D. & Altmann, M., 2025, ToKnowPress, 322 p.Electronic (full-text) versionResearch output: Book/Report/Anthology > Anthology
Identifying Key Features and User Experience Criteria for an Online Social Learning Community Platform in the Nuclear Power SectorDyrna, J., Neuburg, C., Altmann, M., Thomas, A., Teichert, M., Tietze, M., Schienbein, P. & 4 others, 2025, Proceedings Gemeinschaften in Neuen Medien. KI & Menschlichkeit: Technologie in sozialer Verantwortung: 28. Workshop GeNeMe‘25 Gemeinschaften in Neuen Medien. Köhler, T., Schoop, E. & Sonntag, R. (eds.). Dresden: TUD PressResearch output: Contribution to book/conference proceedings/anthology/report > Conference contribution
SMART Innovation for the Next Generations: Joint PublicationGeder, M., Malisić, B. & Altmann, M., 2025, University of Donja Gorica, Montenegro and DOBA Universtiy of Applied Sciences, Slovenia, 171 p.Electronic (full-text) versionResearch output: Book/Report/Anthology > Anthology