On Wednesday, April 16, Vice Provost for Teaching and Learning Erin Sanders O’Leary and Interim Dean Chon A. Noriega shared this message via Bruin Post
The Teaching and Learning Center (TLC) and the School of Theater, Film and Television (TFT) are partnering on a new pilot project that demonstrates UCLA’s commitment to educational innovation. This collaboration explores how on-set virtual production technology—like that used in The Mandalorian, sports broadcasting and independent films—can be applied to UCLA classrooms. The goal is to enable instruction from “within” course media content, immersing students directly into the material.
Especially in challenging times, it is essential to invest in learning experiences that capture students’ attention and leave a lasting impact. Through this pilot, the TLC and TFT will work with instructors to develop innovative instructional media using a virtual production environment.
A limited number of opportunities are available this summer for UCLA instructors to participate in the pilot. Selected participants will develop short, proof-of-concept videos that can augment or replace traditional lecture and course modules. This initiative is particularly well-suited for instructors interested in using:
- 360-degree video or photography from real-world field experiences (e.g., ecological sites across California, wet markets in India, temples in Myanmar, aerial views of Los Angeles architecture).
- Computer-generated 3D models (e.g., ancient civilizations, speculative futures, distant galaxies, conflict zones, colliding photons, microscopic elements of nature).
In the future, this approach may expand to support immersive learning throughout an entire course. More information is available on the TLC website. To be considered for priority review, instructors should submit a proposal through the online interest form by Wednesday, April 30.