Many schools arrange field trips to zoos, museums, botanical gardens, and other locations to provide authentic learning experiences. While these environments allow students to engage directly with real-world contexts, not all students are able to participate due to physical, cognitive, or sensory disabilities. In addition, there are other factors to consider, such as costs associated with on-site field trips. To address these barriers, virtual learning environments, including virtual tours and Augmented Reality (AR)-based activities, can provide inclusive alternatives by replicating these experiences in immersive, interactive platforms (Parmaxi & Demetriou, 2020). These environments support accessibility needs while also fostering engagement for all learners. The goal of this hands-on workshop is to introduce educators to the development of virtual learning environments using user-friendly, budget-conscious platforms. Participants will learn how to:

• Create a virtual tour using H5P web components and 360-degree photographs of real-world spaces
• Create AR-based activities using 3D models of objects

The session is designed for educators and instructional designers with limited technical experience, and will demonstrate how these tools can be used as resources for designing interactive, place-based learning.

By the end of this workshop, participants will be equipped to produce a basic prototype of an accessible virtual environment. Attendees will receive templates, planning guides, and additional resources to support independent development in their own classrooms and institutions.

Biographies

Shamila Janakiraman

Dr Shamila Janakiraman is an Assistant Professor in Learning Design & Technology (LTEC) at the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, United States. She teaches graduate level courses in LTEC and her research interests are in emerging technologies, attitude change instruction, online teaching and learning, and competency-based education. Dr Janakiraman is keen on exploring the use of emerging technologies such as augmented reality, virtual reality, game-based learning in facilitating attitude change regarding the learning of different subjects, and attitudinal and behavioural learning regarding environmental sustainability and other socio-scientific topics.

Justin Quezon

Justin Quezon is a master’s degree student in the Learning Design and Technology (LTEC) program at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, United States, with an anticipated graduation in Spring 2026. His final master’s project examines the use of implicit feedback in video games as a strategy for supporting language acquisition. His research interests include informal learning, adult learning, and the use of educational technologies in asynchronous environments. His design interests focus on learner-centered interfaces and self-directed, interactive experiences.

About the Presenter(s)
-Dr Shamila Janakiraman is an Assistant Professor in Learning Design & Technology (LTEC) at the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, United States.
-Justin Quezon is a master’s degree student in the Learning Design and Technology (LTEC) program at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, United States, with an anticipated graduation in Spring 2026.

See this presentation on the full schedule – Friday Schedule

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