Learning to create a better built environment: Activity led learning with information and communication technology for a 21st century collaborative global education
Background
Skills shortage has hampered the development of the construction sector in the last few decades. This has often been attributed to the failure of the education sector to attract young workforce to choose their career in engineering and construction sectors and hence to study in the relevant Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM) subjects.
Further, there is a significant pressure to provide added values within a competitive education, through value-enhancing activities, which extend the skills beyond learning STEM subjects for enhanced future employment (e.g. team work, problem solving, communication skills, virtual team, understanding international context). This project seeks to address fundamental challenges of STEM+ education in the Department of Civil Engineering Architecture and Building at Coventry University:
- To develop ‘holistic’ graduates who possesses both ‘hard’ technical and ‘soft’ people management skills
- To enhance engagement and participation of students from diverse social backgrounds with a significant proportion of part-time and disadvantage students
- To enhance retention of first year students
Groups with a mixture of full and part-time students are an important part of the process of learning as research evidence has suggested that part-time students have contributed positively to enhancing the quality of group work. The project facilitates the development of international collaborative skills, which is essential for virtual team working and communication. This will prepare students to work internationally in a more effective and efficient mode of working.