Virtual Worlds for Organization Learning and Communities of Practice

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 paper reviews relevant literature oil how virtual worlds, especially Second Life, are utilized for organizational learning. Specific emphases will be on the translation of applicable learning theories into the pedagogical design of virtual worlds. Furthermore, the paper explores how organizations establish virtual Communities of practice. Finally, examples of virtual worlds that are established for organization learning are examined.