| Title | Expanding Access to Field-Based Learning through Immersive Virtual Tours: A Universal Design for Learning Approach to Inclusive, Experiential Education in Field Courses |
|---|---|
| Faculty/College/Unit | Science |
| Status | Active |
| Duration | 2 Year |
| Initiation | 04/01/2025 |
| Project Summary | This project aims to create immersive virtual field tours to expand access to field-based learning in the ISCI 361 curriculum. Through interactive multimedia experiences, students will engage with key sites in Hawaii, overcoming physical, financial, and logistical barriers. Designed with Universal Design for Learning (UDL)-aligned features, the tours will adapt to varied learning preferences, promoting inclusivity and accessibility. The project will produce two virtual tours focused on sustainability themes in Hawaii, with interactive elements to support experiential learning of ecological and cultural topics. Iterative testing with student and instructor feedback will refine these tours to ensure alignment with learning objectives. Ultimately, this project will establish a replicable workflow for instructors, emphasizing best practices in UDL and multimedia integration, while assessing the effectiveness of technology-supported pedagogies to improve accessibility and learning outcomes in field-based education. |
| Funding Details | |
| Year 1: Project Year | Year 1 |
| Year 1: Funding Year | 2025/2026 |
| Year 1: Project Type | Small TLEF |
| Year 1: Principal Investigator | Denise Gabriel |
| Year 1: Funded Amount | 29,673 |
| Year 1: Team Members | Co-Applicants & Project Team Members: Denise Gabriel, Lecturer, Integrated Sciences, Faculty of Science Collaborators: Steven Quane, Sessional Lecturer, Integrated Sciences, Faculty of Science / Mineral Museum and Outreach Program Director, Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology |