# 5. iLRN Illuminators Forum — episode #5: At the Threshold: Recasting iLRN as an Open Immersive Learning Society; (January 2nd, 2026) - with Caitlin Krause

### **<span style="color: rgb(241, 196, 15);">iLRN ILLUMINATORS FORUM #5</span>**

##### The weekly scanning forum supporting the iLRN Immersive Futures — State of XR &amp; Immersive Learning 2026 report  


#### Episode Title: <span style="color: rgb(230, 126, 35);">**Immersive Learning at the Threshold: Recasting iLRN as an Open Immersive Learning Society** </span>

#### YouTube Recording link: [https://youtu.be/OFtJBMvH8IY](https://youtu.be/OFtJBMvH8IY)

  
[![IMG_2662.jpeg](https://codex.immersivelrn.org/uploads/images/gallery/2026-01/scaled-1680-/jWLhRm3Q7HNr4olc-img-2662.jpeg)](https://codex.immersivelrn.org/uploads/images/gallery/2026-01/jWLhRm3Q7HNr4olc-img-2662.jpeg)

<p class="callout info">Purpose: To convene the global immersive learning community at a pivotal moment for the field—inviting shared responsibility, collective sense-making, and forward-looking vision in support of the 2026 State of XR &amp; Immersive Learning effort.</p>

<p class="callout info">Date: January 2, 2026  
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<p class="callout info">Time: 2:00–3:00 PM Pacific / 5:00–6:00 PM Eastern  
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<p class="callout info">Media: Live webinar + recording + survey + forum  
</p>

<p class="callout info">New Session Type : Instead of Report &amp; Special Guest Discussion, this week opened participatory dialogue and open reflection (including asynchronous opportunities)</p>

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#### Host: iLRN CEO Jonathon Richter, Ed.D.  
  
iLRN Survey: What’s your vision for the immersive learning field in 2026? [https://tally.so/r/kdeyde](https://tally.so/r/kdeyde)

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</div>##### SPECIAL APPEARANCE BY:

<div id="bkmrk-caitlin-krause">Caitlin Krause</div><div id="bkmrk-author-of-digital-we">Author of [DIGITAL WELLBEING: Empowering Connection with Wonder and Imagination in the Age of AI](https://caitlinkrause.com/digitalwellbeing/)</div><div id="bkmrk--6">  
</div><div id="bkmrk-as-we-begin-2026%2C-im">**Posted Webinar Description:** As we begin 2026, immersive learning appears to be crossing a genuine threshold. Over the past decade, the field has moved from experimentation to legitimacy. Evidence has matured. Practices have diversified. Expectations—societal, institutional, and ethical—have sharpened.</div><div id="bkmrk--8">  
</div><div id="bkmrk-happy-2026%21-what-fee">Happy 2026! What feels different now is not simply technological acceleration, but a shift in responsibility.</div><div id="bkmrk--9">  
</div><div id="bkmrk-immersive-environmen">Immersive environments are increasingly used to rehearse real decisions, shape public understanding, and mediate collective experience. That raises a larger question for all of us working in this space:</div><div id="bkmrk--10">  
</div><div id="bkmrk-what-should-immersiv">What should immersive learning be accountable for in 2026?</div><div id="bkmrk--13">  
</div><div id="bkmrk-this-friday%E2%80%99s-illumi">This Friday’s Illuminators’ Forum is intentionally designed for everyone—researchers, educators, designers, developers, students, and institutional leaders—whether you join us live or engage asynchronously afterward.</div><div id="bkmrk--14">  
</div><div id="bkmrk-if-you-can-join-live">If you can join live, we’ll reflect together on where immersive learning stands today and what signals matter most. </div><div id="bkmrk--16">  
</div><div id="bkmrk-if-you-can%E2%80%99t-attend%2C">If you can’t attend, we invite you to watch the recording and contribute your perspective through a short vision form.</div><div id="bkmrk--17">  
</div><div id="bkmrk-this-conversation-di">This conversation directly supports our recasting of the Immersive Learning Research Network as an Open Immersive Society—one grounded in shared evidence, plural perspectives, and public responsibility.</div><div id="bkmrk--18">  
</div><div id="bkmrk-%E2%80%A2-share-your-2026-vi">• Share your 2026 vision: [https://tally.so/r/kdeyde](https://tally.so/r/kdeyde) </div><div id="bkmrk--20">  
</div><div id="bkmrk-yes...-immersive-lea">Yes... Immersive learning is entering a consequential phase... this is the moment to help shape it—together!</div>