# The T-Shaped Model for Immersive Learning at iLRN events **A design framework for iLRN conferences and events as immersive experiences** --- ## Codex Header **Codex Shelf / Book / Page (suggested):** - **Shelf:** Annual Conference Series - **Book:** About the Annual iLRN Conference - **Page:** The T-Shaped Model for Immersive Learning at iLRN events **Maintainer:** iLRN Executive Team (CEO office) **Primary Use:** Conference and event design, program planning, experience curation, sponsor/partner alignment **Status:** Active framework (living document) **Last Updated:** 2026-02-04 **Keywords / Tags:** `t-shaped model` `conference experience design` `hybrid` `Milgram continuum` `XR modalities` `place-based learning` `local host integration` `knowledge tree` `innovation garden` `futures lighthouse` `iLEAD` **One-Sentence Abstract:** The iLRN T-Shaped Model is a practical design framework for conferences and events that (1) ensures **modal breadth** across the reality–virtuality continuum and (2) achieves **contextual depth** through authentic engagement with local place, culture, people, and relationships—while remaining aligned with iLRN’s ecosystem triad: the **Knowledge Tree**, **Innovation Garden (iLEAD)**, and **Futures Lighthouse**. --- ## Designing immersive learning scope & depth for our iLRN annual Conference iLRN conferences are not simply venues for presenting work; they are themselves **designed immersive experiences**. This helps our emerging field share common experiences with immersive learning experiences and host dialogue within and about them. The T-Shaped Model is intended to prevent two common failure modes: 1. **Modality narrowness:** a conference becomes “VR-only,” “talks-only,” or “Zoom-only,” inadvertently shrinking the field’s perceived scope and excluding participants with different access realities. We emphasize the variation. 2. **Placelessness:** a conference can be physically hosted in a city (or “online”) yet feel interchangeable—missing the social, cultural, ecological, and relational specificity that makes immersive learning meaningful and ethical. The T shape expresses a balanced commitment: - **Horizontal:** a curated spectrum of immersive modalities and participation formats. - **Vertical:** a deep dive into the host context—its local expertise, communities, ecosystems, histories, and lived realities. --- ## The T-Shaped Model at a glance ### [![T-shaped model for immersive learning.png](https://codex.immersivelrn.org/uploads/images/gallery/2026-02/scaled-1680-/ea8Ru9lepYz9BryB-t-shaped-model-for-immersive-learning.png)](https://codex.immersivelrn.org/uploads/images/gallery/2026-02/ea8Ru9lepYz9BryB-t-shaped-model-for-immersive-learning.png) - **Horizontal = Modal Breadth (Milgram Reality–Virtuality Continuum):** design the program so participants experience a range from **AR → MR → VR**, plus non-XR situated modalities, to represent the breadth of immersive learning practice and research. - **Vertical = Contextual Depth (Local Host Realm):** design intentional immersion into the **location, culture, people, and relationships** of the host context, creating authentic situated learning and community continuity. *(Note: This legend is intentionally operational; it is meant to guide planning decisions, not merely label concepts.)* ### Horizontal Dimension: Modal Breadth **Goal:** Build an intentionally varied program across modalities so participants encounter the *range* of immersive learning—technically, pedagogically, and artistically. **Anchor concept:** **Milgram’s Reality–Virtuality Continuum** (often referenced informally as “Milgram’s Spectrum”) spanning: - Physical/real environments and field experiences - Augmented Reality (AR) - Mixed Reality (MR) / Augmented Virtuality - Virtual Reality (VR) - Fully virtual environments and simulations **What “breadth” looks like at iLRN:** - Sessions that cover multiple “levels” of immersion, from low-tech situated activities to high-end XR - Multiple participation pathways (in-person, online, hybrid synchronous, hybrid asynchronous) - A balanced mix of **research**, **practice (iLEAD: Immersive Learning, Education, Arts, and Design)**, and **futures/strategy** programming ### Vertical Dimension: Contextual Depth **Goal:** Create meaningful immersion in the **local host realm**—not as tourism, but as situated learning, relationship-building, and ethical engagement. **Depth emphasizes:** - Place and ecology (land, water, climate, built environment, local challenges) - Culture and history (including contested narratives, heritage, and living traditions) - People and relationships (local universities, schools, communities of practice, artists, industry, civic partners) - Stewardship and reciprocity (what iLRN gives back; what continues after we leave) --- ## Mapping the T-Shape onto iLRN’s Ecosystem Triad The T-Shaped Model does **not** collapse iLRN’s ecosystem into a single metaphor. It functions as an integrating lens that helps each ecosystem component contribute coherently to conference design. ### Knowledge Tree — Evidence, theory, disciplines, and scholarly rigor **Primary contribution to the T:** - Ensures the **horizontal breadth** reflects the full field (computer science, learning sciences, game studies/UX, and the branch houses) rather than a single technical trend. - Anchors the conference in publishable scholarship, methods, and peer-reviewed quality. **T-Shape implication:** The Knowledge Tree helps prevent “modality breadth” from becoming a random assortment; it becomes a curated representation of disciplinary scope and quality. ### Innovation Garden (iLEAD) — Practice, demonstration, arts, and design craft **Primary contribution to the T:** - Makes “breadth” tangible through **hands-on demos, studios, exhibits, performances, design showcases**, and applied workshops. - Supports industry/product demos when they are structured as **learning-oriented demonstrations** (with clear educational value, transparency, and appropriate governance boundaries). **T-Shape implication:** The Innovation Garden ensures participants can *experience* immersive learning, not only hear about it. ### Futures Lantern — Scanning, scenarios, anticipatory governance **Primary contribution to the T:** - Frames breadth and depth against emerging trajectories: AI, XR infrastructure, access, ethics, regulation, workforce shifts, global patterns. - Helps the vertical “local immersion” connect to planetary-scale challenges and long-range responsibilities. **T-Shape implication:** The Immersive Futures' Lantern prevents the conference from being only retrospective (what we did) by sustaining forward motion (what we should prepare for). --- ## How to use the T-Shaped Model in conference planning ### 1) Program architecture (committee-level) Use the T as a planning rubric during program assembly: - **Breadth checks (horizontal):** - Do we have meaningful representation across AR/MR/VR and non-XR immersive modalities? - Do we have diversity across research, education practice, arts, and design craft (iLEAD)? - Do we have multiple access pathways (hybrid realities, time zones, asynchronous options)? - **Depth checks (vertical):** - What program elements *could only happen here* (or with this host community)? - Where do local partners lead, not merely appear? - What is the reciprocity plan—what remains valuable to the host community after iLRN? ### 2) Session and experience design (track-level) Encourage each track/house to contribute both: - a **modal offering** (showcase something on the continuum) and - a **place-rooted offering** (a hosted experience, guided walk, local case study, community panel, site-based design challenge). ### 3) Participant experience journey (attendee-level) Design “journeys” so attendees naturally traverse the T: - A participant can sample modalities across the week (horizontal) - And still “go deep” in at least one local immersion thread (vertical) This is especially important in hybrid formats, where online attendees can otherwise become second-class participants. --- ## Seasonal timeline fit (iLRN year begins September 1) The T-Shaped Model is particularly useful as a **seasonal rhythm** rather than a one-time plan. ### Pre-Season (build-up to September 1) **Objective:** Establish the conditions for breadth and depth. - Identify local host partners, cultural advisors, and place-based anchors early - Run “modal breadth” audits on proposed program content - Establish hybrid access principles and minimum experience standards ### In-Season (September 1 through the conference cycle) **Objective:** Operationalize the T in committee timelines. - Each committee maintains a visible “T checklist” in their workflow - Program curation ensures breadth; local chair and partners drive depth - iLEAD programming is treated as a core pillar, not an add-on - Futures programming remains threaded throughout, not siloed ### Post-Season (after the conference) **Objective:** Harvest learning and steward continuity. - Publish reflective artifacts mapped to the T - Document host reciprocity outcomes - Convert “depth experiences” into reusable patterns and playbooks in the Codex - Feed futures insights into the next cycle’s scanning and workshop cards --- ## Quality standards and governance signals To keep the T-Shape from becoming aspirational branding, iLRN uses it as a **governable design constraint**: - **Minimum breadth standard:** conferences should intentionally represent multiple points along the reality–virtuality continuum and multiple participation modes. - **Minimum depth standard:** conferences should include hosted experiences that engage local context in ways that are authentic, ethical, and co-led with local partners. - **Documentation standard:** each conference should produce at least one Codex entry that: 1. maps experiences onto the T, and 2. records what worked, what failed, and what should be revised. --- ## Tensions, risks, and constructive dissent **Opinion (explicit):** The T-Shaped Model will only improve iLRN’s quality if you treat it as a constraint that forces trade-offs, not as a slogan that increases scope. Key tensions to watch: 1. **Breadth vs. coherence:** More modalities can dilute narrative unity. Without curation, “breadth” becomes a buffet rather than a designed experience. 2. **Depth vs. tokenism:** “Local culture” can become performative if it is inserted late or framed as entertainment rather than co-led, reciprocal engagement. 3. **Hybrid inequity:** Breadth can unintentionally privilege those with high-end hardware and travel budgets unless access pathways are deliberately designed. 4. **Operational load:** Depth requires real relationship work; it cannot be produced by scheduling alone. If under-resourced, it collapses into generic social events. 5. **Governance clarity:** iLEAD product demonstrations, sponsor involvement, and experiential showcases require explicit boundaries so the conference remains educational, transparent, and values-aligned. --- ## Practical checklist (paste into committee docs) ### Breadth (Horizontal) - [ ] Program includes experiences spanning multiple points on the Milgram continuum - [ ] Clear representation of iLEAD practice: Education, Arts, Design - [ ] Multiple participation formats supported (in-person, online, hybrid) - [ ] Hardware access realities considered (loaners, low-tech alternatives, recordings, asynchronous options) ### Depth (Vertical) - [ ] At least one signature experience co-led with local partners - [ ] Local context is present in more than one moment (threaded, not isolated) - [ ] Reciprocity plan documented (what iLRN contributes back) - [ ] Ethical considerations reviewed (representation, consent, cultural protocols) ### Ecosystem coherence - [ ] Knowledge Tree: scholarship and disciplinary coverage are visible - [ ] Innovation Garden: hands-on experiences and showcases are core - [ ] Futures Lighthouse: anticipatory threads are integrated across the program --- ## Suggested citation **Immersive Learning Research Network (iLRN).** (2026). *The iLRN T-Shaped Model for Immersive Learning: A design framework for conferences and events as immersive experiences.* iLRN Codex. --- ## Related Codex pages (recommended links) - Designing Immersive Convenings at iLRN (parent page) - iLRN Ecosystem Triad: Knowledge Tree, Innovation Garden (iLEAD), Futures Lighthouse - Hybrid Stack Rollout Plan (Seasonal timeline integration) - iLEAD scope and governance boundaries (including product demonstrations) - Conference experience standards (minimum viable immersion for hybrid equity) --- ## Codex colophon This Codex page is a living artifact maintained by iLRN. It is intended for operational use in planning and governance. Revisions should preserve a changelog, note the rationale for changes, and record any downstream impacts on conference policy, review processes, and participant experience standards.