Integrating Immersive Media into the Classroom
Call for Submissions
The Teaching and Learning Center (TLC) and the School of Theater, Film, and Television (TFT) are excited to announce a new collaboration that will bring filming technology used in Hollywood productions to UCLA classrooms.
This innovative technology will allow the TLC and TFT to engage with instructors to develop innovative instructional media using a virtual production environment. A limited number of opportunities are available for UCLA instructors to be part of this summer’s pilot project to integrate research, field experiences, and creative scholarship into courses.
This course development opportunity is ideal for instructors who are interested in creating virtual learning experiences with computer-generated 3D models (e.g., ancient civilizations, speculative futures, distant galaxies, conflict zones, colliding photons, microscopic elements in nature) or field experiences using 360-degree video or photography from the world (e.g., ecological fields across California, wet markets from India, temples of Myanmar, aerial views of LA architecture).
The project aims to develop short, proof-of-concept videos that could serve in place of or augment a more traditional lecture or short course module. Future opportunities may also include integrating immersive learning experiences throughout an entire course.
The virtual production technology will be installed at TFT. Staff and students from the TLC and TFT will work alongside instructors to bring media content to life and support the production process. Media content will be displayed on an LED “volume”, a system of interconnected LED panels used to create immersive, dynamic virtual backgrounds. The volume is expected to be over 50’ wide and 20’ high, enabling live instruction to be recorded as an immersive, 3D learning experience for students.
Example Photos
An example lecture where an instructor speaks in front of an LED “volume” (image 1) that displays video content from a 360-degree video of the El Capitan Theatre (image 2).
Two examples of a speaker in front of 3D computer-generated models displayed on the LED “volume.”
Program Details
Access to the technology pilot is currently limited to summer 2025, so proposed projects need to align with this timeframe. As such, projects that can leverage existing 3D graphics, 360-degree video, high-resolution images, and other media to which faculty already have access or will soon generate from existing research projects, community partner engagement, or larger media databases will be prioritized for the pilot. However, all instructors are encouraged to submit an interest form sharing their project ideas as we anticipate expanding engagement opportunities with this exciting course production technology in the near future!
Consults with the TLC team are strongly encouraged to identify funding opportunities and support available to execute proposed pilot projects. Contact idmp@teaching.ucla.edu to schedule a consultation.
Interest forms to participate in the pilot are due by April 30, 2025. On a rolling basis, we will reach out to instructors with eligible projects to discuss funding options and next steps, which will include scoping out a budget, securing an endorsement from department chairs, and scheduling the production timeline.
A list of the interest form questions is available to download.