When technology and creativity often take center stage, how can educators ensure immersive and VR experiences successfully lead students to the desired learning objectives? We are excited to share this innovative, detailed instructional design project flow that captures critical Instructional Design elements for aligned immersive experiences for online learners.

In immersive and VR experiences, where technology and creativity often take center stage, how can educators ensure these experiences successfully lead students to desired learning outcomes? While such experiences are gaining popularity and present rich and modern learning opportunities, the process of developing aligned, objective-focused experiences is underexplored in current literature. Through an extensive, two-year development of a virtual reality learning experience in an online college-level introductory science course, our team of instructional designers, content experts, technologists, and media developers aimed to prioritize the course’s learning objectives without sacrificing creativity or the “wow factor” of immersive learning. Session Goals: We are excited to share this innovative, detailed instructional design project flow that captures the major and critical ID elements for aligned immersive experiences so programs of any size or resource level can design their own immersive experience focused on the learning outcomes. In regards to instructional design for aligned, objective-focused immersive VR learning experiences, our panel will share insights on: Identifying learning objectives appropriate for such projects Project flow and critical elements to prioritize learning objectives Key roles and responsibilities of stakeholders to ensure alignment The role and design of assessments, both in and after the experience Strategies for cross-functional collaboration Hiccups and lessons learned We hope to inspire and support developers and learners of the future through the creation of objective-focused VR and immersive learning experiences in classrooms across the world. Level of Participation: Following the presentation, the panel will offer Q&A to assist other institutions, instructional designers, technologists, instructors, and program leaders with troubleshooting or suggested guidance for their immersive projects.