E-learning in the construction industry

E-learning in the construction industry

The construction industry is currently experiencing a rapid period of change and is under enormous pressure to achieve greater levels of efficiency, innovation and safety standards. There is clearly a need for timely and cost effective training in a whole host of areas ranging from health and safety, construction regulations and transport and energy issues, to technical concerns and management techniques. The useful life of the knowledge gained from a vocational degree course or as part of an entrance course to a professional body is getting shorter as the rate of change intensifies and continuous professional development (CPD) is fast becoming an essential part of professional life. However, there are obviously limits to the amount of time and resources that professionals are willing and able to invest in undertaking CPD and conventional learning options are often inflexible, inefficient and unattractive.

Fortunately there is now a solution close to hand in the form of web based training, or e-learning. E-Learning provides an opportunity for construction professionals to engage in, relevant and cost-effective CPD at the time and place that suits them best. The convergence of traditional distance education and the latest internet technologies has resulted in an unparralelled wealth of rich media and interaction becoming available to supplement traditional training programmes. The most sophisticated e-learning solutions offer learner-content interaction in the form of written documents and web pages, audio and video presentations, and simple drill and practice exercises such as true/false tests and multiple choice exercises; asynchronous learner-learner or learner-instructor interaction via e-mail and online forums; and even synchronous interaction through real time virtual classrooms and videoconferencing.

Obviously the use of such technologies can, quite literally, free a company’s training programme from the boundaries of the terrestrial lecture room and from the restrictions of scheduling and timetables. Learners train at a location to suit themselves, no-one need spend time away from their job, learners can control the pace and direction of their own learning, and they can do so at times convenient to them. In addition, the effectiveness of this type of training in skills transfer and retention is well documented. For example, the use of video is particularly beneficial in that it involves more of the senses. Video imparts a message using sight, sound, and emotion with the result that the audience becomes more engaged, and is thus more likely to take notice. The increased rate of retention afforded by video over print is considerable, and indeed a study by the Wharton School of Business has shown that video boosts comprehension and retention by 50% over even a live presentation. Other studies have shown that six times as many people prefer watching a video to reading printed information. If the message is also reinforced through the use of event streamed Powerpoint slides and self assessment testing and is backed up by an electronic performance support (EPS) system offering access to additional materials and expert opinion then the overall learning experience becomes even more powerful.

The power of internet video is amply demonstrated in the innovative new service provided by contractjournal.com in association with Einstein Network, the UK’s leading provider of multimedia CPD. Suitable for CPD according to ICE, IstructE and RICS guidelines, Contract Journal’s CPD Construction (www.cpdconstruction.com) enables construction professionals to take full control of their continuing education via a wide range of streaming video programming and interactive resources focusing on key civil and structural engineering events and issues, and presented with the help of experienced professionals. Covering health and safety, construction regulations, transport and energy issues, surveying, legal and regulatory issues, plus technological concerns and management techniques, cpd4construction provides the critical and concise information needed to succeed in today's ever changing environment.

It is true to say that e-learning may not always be the best solution to a training problem. Traditional delivery and face-to-face learning have their advantages too, but deploying e-learning as part of a wider programme of education and training can be both highly effective and inexpensive. There are times too, when training is required as the need arises or ‘just in time’. Here it is the immediacy of e-learning which is of prime importance. EPS systems can provide problem specific training and support whenever it is necessary, with learners able to dip into centralised ‘know-how’ databases, make direct contact with subject matter experts or mentors, or participate in specialised listservs or weblogs. A good example of this is the Virtual Learning Centre provided by Thomas Telford Training (www.tttrain.co.uk), a division of the ICE Group, which offers access to over 2000 bite-sized pieces of information aimed at busy professionals working within the construction industry and delivering just-in-time answers to everyday training needs.

Turning to the actual methods of learning online, it is clear that interactivity is the key here. Although it is accepted that in e-learning there are many oportunities for learner-content interaction, it is commonly perceived that it is the interactivity with other people that learners miss out on. Distance learning in the past has always seemed impersonal and isolated. e-learning though, need be neither impersonal nor isolated. The careful use of asynchronous communication and collaboration via online forums or e-mail will enable distributed learners and instructors to communicate fully and freely with the additional benefit of being able to contemplate their contributions and reflect upon the contributions of others. For example, all courses offered by RedVector (www.RedVector.com), a Florida based provider of online education for professionals in the engineering, architectural, interior design, construction, land surveying, building inspection and landscape architecture industries, include the facility to contact the course author/subject matter expert with questions and comments, or for any other content related support .

What is clearly noticable is the advantage that is to be gained through the blending or blurring of technologies. E-learning is wholly about effective training. It should no longer be viewed as an end in itself but rather as a collection of instructional technologies which may be combined in greater or lesser degrees to facilitate wider educational goals. The learning experience is vital and can be greatly enhanced by the technology used in its delivery. The use of e-learning will unlock a powerful combination of media to deliver learning objectives and provide continuing reinforcement and support. Every learner can be given access to best practice and leading practitioners, the information supplied can be kept completely up to date and comprehensive, and communication and group learning tools can be used to maintain contact and encourage learners to share their own experiences. It was once thought that e-learning would ‘kill the classroom’. This is certainly not the case – rather, the use of e-learning will ‘liberate the lecture theatre’ so that, if required, it can be used for the delivery of highly intense and highly efficient learning experiences to close knit groups. In these competitive times the most successful companies will be those that learn quickly, continuously and effectively and there is no doubt that one of the keys to this success can be found in the skilful deployment of multimedia and internet technology.

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