Research Projects - CCL® and Second Life®
In CCL's 2010 publication, Handbook of Leadership Development: Third Edition, the authors, Ellen Van Velsor, Cynthia D. McCauley, and Marian Ruderman write, "There are also some exciting new technology-related experiments on the horizon. One of the most interesting for us is the piloting we (and probably others) are doing with leader development programs in Second Life, the Internet-based, three-dimensional virtual world. This platform may allow individuals to participate fully with others in a leadership development program without leaving their home or office. Individuals use avatars (virtual representations of themselves) in Second Life classrooms and could potentially receive feedback on their assessments, participate in experiential exercises, receive confidential feedback in a one-on-one session with a trained coach, and accomplish their end of program goal setting all in a virtual world, while being an active, but remote, participant."
As businesses continue to look for ways to reduce both expenses and the environmental impact of office space and travel, more and more people will be working from home offices and conducting business at a distance. When perfected, platforms such as Second Life will address these needs for saving and convenience for leader development.
We will be conducting a study of the impact of using these methods in the coming year, so look forward to learning much more about this new technology and disseminating that knowledge to others.
Second Life Research in Coaching
CCL is involved in a research study with George Mason University and the United States Air Force which involves coaching in an electronic environment. The study is being funded by the Society for Resource Human Management, and will run through 2011. We are using the 3-D immersive world of Second Life (SL™) to conduct the study. The Second Life platform is an Internet-based, multi-user, 3D world construction set, which emphasizes creativity, collaboration, socializing, and learning. CCL has developed a region in Second Life called CCL Research Island. The island is designed to support the LDP coaching and feedback experience in a fully immersive, 3-D virtual world. Today, there are 17 certified CCL SL coaches who have the ability to work in the SL medium, and these coaches will deliver 75-100 feedback sessions in CCL's Leadership Development Program.
Download Second Life software at http://secondlife.com. It's free.
Visit CCL Island
- Click here to check out CCL in Second Life on CCL Island's-Mainstreet.
- Click here to check out CCL in Second Life on CCL Island's-Social Networking Area.
What is Second Life?
- World Map
- Shopping
- Community
- Policies and Guidelines
- Second Life Work
- Second Life Development
More About Second Life
Second Life, founded by Linden Labs in 1999, is a 3-D virtual world created by its residents. Since opening to the public in 2003, it has grown and today is inhabited by millions of residents from around the globe. Second Life offers the tools for businesses, educators, nonprofits, and entrepreneurs to develop a virtual presence.
The Second Life world is a place dedicated to your creativity. You create your own avatar and that creation is your persona in the virtual world.
Read article: Leader Development Gets a Second Life
