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

Unleash the Potential of Virtual Collaborative Learning: A Guide for ImplementationAltmann, M. & Cool, S., 2025, Higher Education Contemporary Learning Landscape: Virtual Collaborative Learning. ToKnowPress, Vol. 1. p. 35-46Electronic (full-text) versionResearch output: Contribution to book/conference proceedings/anthology/report > Chapter in book/Anthology/Report

2024

SLOWLY DYING OR RESILIENT? REVISITING THE SECI MODEL AFTER 3 DECADES IN THE CONTEXT OF GENERATIVE AIRichter, T., Paul, J., Wolf, L. & Boumdine, F., 1 Nov 2024, ICERI2024 Proceedings: 17th annual International Conference of Education, Research and Innovation Seville, Spain. 11-13 November, 2024. p. 6542-6549, 8 p.Electronic (full-text) versionResearch output: Contribution to book/conference proceedings/anthology/report > Conference contribution
Designing Formative Feedback in Collaborative Online International LearningAltmann, M. & Arnold, M., Sep 2024, In: Human Systems Management. 43, 5, p. 605-622, 18 p.Electronic (full-text) versionResearch output: Contribution to journal > Research article
Online-Lehrkräftefortbildung „undime – Unterrichten mit digitalen Medien“: Konzeption und EvaluationsergebnisseHoffmann, L., Pluder, M., Liebold, M., Schaarschmidt, N., Stark, L., Müller, J., Dyrna, J. & 4 others, 1 Jun 2024, Digitale Transformation in der Bildung: Digital Change Summit 2022. Schneider, A. & Scholz, C. (eds.). Springer VS/Springer Fachmedien, p. 125–150, 25 p.Electronic (full-text) versionResearch output: Contribution to book/conference proceedings/anthology/report > Chapter in book/Anthology/Report
Facilitating Competence-Oriented Qualification in New Work: Evaluation of a Platform PrototypeClauss, A., 2 May 2024, p. 659, 668 p.Research output: Contribution to conferences > Paper
Systematization of Competence Assessment in Higher Education: Methods and InstrumentsLattek, S., Rieckhoff, L., Völker, G., Langesee, L. & Clauss, A., 2 May 2024Research output: Contribution to conferences > Paper
Advancing E-Tutor Tandems: Qualitative Insights And A Matrix For Collaborative PracticeLangesee, L., Ukhova, N. & Altmann, M., Mar 2024, INTED2024 Proceedings. p. 1327-1337, 11 p.Electronic (full-text) versionResearch output: Contribution to book/conference proceedings/anthology/report > Conference contribution
Blending Physical and Virtual Mobility in Higher EducationAltmann, M., Ukhova, N., Volkmann, N. & Schoop, E., 2024, Communities in New Media. Inclusive digital: Forming Community in an Open Way Self-determined Participation in the Digital Transformation: 26. Workshop GeNeMe‘23 Gemeinschaften in Neuen Medien. Köhler, T., Schoop, E., Kahnwald, N. & Sonntag, R. (eds.). Dresden, Vol. 26. p. 329-334Electronic (full-text) versionResearch output: Contribution to book/conference proceedings/anthology/report > Conference contribution
Design Dimensions of Virtual Collaborative Learning – Synthesizing Iterative ResearchAltmann, M., Langesee, L., Jantos, A., Cool, S. & Müller, C., 2024, Handbuch E-Learning. Köhler, T. (ed.). Wolters Kluwer, Vol. 106. p. 1-22, 22 p.Research output: Contribution to book/conference proceedings/anthology/report > Chapter in book/Anthology/Report
European University Collaborations with the Western Balkans Building Sustainable Academic CommunitiesAltmann, M., Köhler, T., Geder, M., Gligoric, D., Vuković Milačić, M., Schoop, E., Demaj, E. & 1 others, 2024, Gemeinschaften in Neuen Medien. Vertrauen in der Krise: Kommunikationsmodelle in digitalen Gemeinschaften: 27. Workshop GeNeMe‘24 Gemeinschaften in Neuen Medien. Köhler, T., Schoop, E. & Sonntag, R. (eds.). Dresden: TUD Press, p. 3-4, 2 p.Electronic (full-text) versionResearch output: Contribution to book/conference proceedings/anthology/report > Conference contribution