Expanding pedagogical opportunities of 3D learning in UBC Teacher Education

Recently, 3D technology, such as virtual, augmented or mixed reality (VR, AR or MR), has become accessible to the public through relatively affordable headsets and apps. For example, UBC Pacific Museum of Earth offers free access to the OmniGlobe, Canada’s first and only programmable spherical interactive display that projects AR data, such as real-time weather, volcanic activity, and ocean currents. Since 2016, UBC’s Emerging Media Lab has been providing access to high-end 3D equipment, technologies, programmers, and media producers. Yet, having access to these resources doesn’t guarantee instructors will know how to use them to enhance student experiences. Faculty of Education is perfectly positioned to address this challenge. We propose to examine the pedagogical affordances of these tools. We will design, implement, and evaluate 3D learning resources through engaging mathematics and science Teacher-Candidates, graduate students, staff and instructors for the benefit of UBC Teachers-Candidates and the community at large.