Expanding Access to Field-Based Learning through Immersive Virtual Tours: A UDL Approach to Inclusive, Experiential Education in field courses

Denise Gabriel, Lecturer, Integrated Sciences, Faculty of Science
Lee Groat, Director, Integrated Sciences, Faculty of Science
Mary Anne Lyons, Program Manager and Academic Advisor, Integrated Sciences, Faculty of Science
Steven Quane, Sessional Lecturer, Integrated Sciences, Faculty of Science / Mineral Museum and Outreach Program Director, Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology
Ashley Welsh, Strategist, Teaching and Learning Initiatives, Faculty of Science / Skylight
Andrea Han, Associate Director, Curriculum and Course Services, Centre for Teaching, Learning and Technology
Michael Sider, Producer, UBC Studios

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.

Denise Gabriel, Lecturer, Integrated Sciences, Faculty of Science
Lee Groat, Director, Integrated Sciences, Faculty of Science
Mary Anne Lyons, Program Manager and Academic Advisor, Integrated Sciences, Faculty of Science
Ashley Welsh, Strategist, Teaching and Learning Initiatives, Faculty of Science / Skylight
Andrea Han, Associate Director, Curriculum and Course Services, Centre for Teaching, Learning and Technology
Michael Sider, Producer, UBC Studios

This project aims to develop immersive, Universal Design for Learning (UDL)-aligned virtual tours of key sites in Hawaii to support the ISCI 361 field course curriculum by advancing the accessibility of place-based learning. Building on UBC’s commitment to experiential and international learning, it addresses limitations in traditional field courses—such as cost, accessibility, and environmental fragility—by creating flexible learning alternatives. Using 360-degree video, interactive maps (e.g., dynamic hotspots), and soundscapes the tours will immerse students in complex sustainability issues and provide access to otherwise hard-to-reach locations while retaining the benefits of field-based learning. The project will also create a replicable workflow for instructors interested in creating virtual tours that integrates UDL principles and multimedia tools, and evaluate how technology-supported field pedagogies advance learning objectives.