Highlights from the Summer 2012 Issue

Instructional Design

A Journey Through the Design Of a Virtual Learning Environment

Elizabeth Porter, Janet Weisenford, and Robert Smith

Virtual worlds are increasingly heralded as a low-cost, simulated environment that can be used for a variety of purposes, including training. In his paper on virtual reality as an educational tool presented at the American Society for Engineering Education 1995 Annual Conference, John T. Bell defines a virtual world as “a synchronous, persistent network of people, represented as avatars, facilitated by networked computers.

Commentary

Can Leaders Keep Their Cool While Feeling the Heat?

Patrick S. Malone

Those who live the life know that government leaders live in a fishbowl, as if whatever they do could be broadcast around the world. National service requires a level of openness unheard of by leaders in for-profit organizations and even nonprofit enterprises," wrote Ellen Van Velsor and Clemson Turregano of the Center for Creative Leadership in the summer 2011 issue of The Public Manager. Few in public service would disagree with this assessment of the work they do or the environment in which they do it.

Employee Engagement

Motivated by the Mission Or by Their Careers?

Jeffrey L. Herman, Jennifer J. Deal, and Marian N. Ruderman

One of the most persistent questions facing leaders of government organizations is how to keep employees engaged, productive, and committed to serving the public. Leaders who understand and address what motivates their employees are more likely to hold on to their best people and maximize performance. In many cases, employee engagement rests on how well a manager understands employees, their reasons for working in the government sector, and how that information can be used to address employee needs.