Educational leadership: Innovative Pedagogy
Dr. Vikas Menghwani
Assistant Professor of Teaching, Earth and Environmental Sciences
Adopting New Technologies to Improve Learning Outcomes
A cutting-edge 3D VR learning tool that delivers immersive, real-world experiences directly to the UBC Okanagan classroom, transforming student engagement and deepening knowledge retention.
Students experience an immersive VR field trip.
Dr. Vikas Menghwani has developed an immersive 3D virtual reality (VR) tool that integrates the benefits of in-person experiential learning with an immersive and interactive virtual reality tour. Inspired by his own transformative VR experience—such as viewing Earth from the International Space Station in Space Explorers: The Infinite—Dr. Menghwani envisioned a way to combine the benefits of real-world field trips with the accessibility and engagement of emerging technologies. Supported by the Aspire-2040 Learning Transformations Fund, he collaborated with the Visualization and Emerging Media Studio (VEMS) to use Canada’s highest-resolution 3D VR-ready video wall, allowing entire classes to “visit” facilities like UBC Vancouver’s bioenergy plant without the barriers of traditional field trips.
“Immersive virtual reality enhances learning with presence and agency. When you experience something in virtual reality, you are more present mentally and you feel more in control. It has the potential to make learners engage with the material at a more emotional level and remember the experience.” — Dr. Vikas Menghwani
The initiative helps to overcome logistical challenges of organizing field-trips such as scheduling constraints, travel limitations, and environmental impact while delivering high-quality interactive experiential learning. Students have the ability to explore at their own pace, engage with pop-up videos and participate in group discussions—all within an immersive VR environment while remaining on campus at UBC Okanagan. This initiative reflects Menghwani’s broader commitment to innovative pedagogy and the productive use of educational technologies. The VR field trip, launched last spring, was the first of many immersive learning experiences made possible through UBC Okanagan’s cutting-edge media infrastructure. The project’s effectiveness was assessed by Dr. Menghwani through student and peer-feedback, which has informed his approach future projects on immersive learning.
Key Capabilities and Impact areas
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Vikas collaborates with VEMS colleagues – including Joel Thiessen, Senior Emerging and Digital Media Specialist – to create this one-of-a-kind immersive and interactive virtual reality tour. (Image credit: Keligraphic Solutions)