Gunarathna, C; Yang, R; Wijeratne Mudiyanselage, P; Amarasinghe, G; Samarasinghalage, T; Weerasinghe, R P N; Zhao, H; Zhang, C; Liu, C; Wang, K and Dev Sureshkumar Jayakumari, S (2024) Project-based learning for proactive skills development of postgraduate students in solar energy building design digitalisation. Smart and Sustainable Built Environment, 13(4), pp. 828-855. ISSN 2046-6099
Abstract
Purpose: Project-based learning is one of the most effective methods of transferring academic knowledge and skills to real-world situations in higher education. However, its effectiveness is not much investigated focusing on the students' narrative. This study aims at evaluating the students' experience and perspective on adopting project-based learning in master by research and doctoral programmes for proactive skills development. Design/methodology/approach: This study evaluates the self-reflection of 10 postgraduate students and their supervisor who have participated in developing a software tool for solar photovoltaics (PV) integrated building envelope design, management and the related education. Findings: Findings reveal that the students have effectively improved their knowledge on the subject via collaborating with the industry, self-learning/observation, peer learning, problem-solving and teamwork. Dividing the project into student-led tasks has improved the decision-making and leadership skills, risks identification, planning and time management skills. The overall experience has (1) built up confidence in students, (2) enhanced their creativity and critical thinking and (3) improved their proactive skills and context knowledge. Originality/value: A clear research gap can be seen in exploring the effectiveness of project-based learning for master by research and doctoral programmes, which mainly focus on extensive research. These programmes do not necessarily focus on developing students' proactive skills, which is the main requirement if they intend to work in the construction industry. This paper addresses the above research gap by demonstrating the effectiveness of project-based learning for developing the proactive skills in a research-intensive learning environment.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | construction digitalisation; education; postgraduate students; proactive skills development; project-based learning; self-reflection |
| Index terms: | supervisor, construction industry, building envelope, critical thinking, reflection, photovoltaic, project-based learning, effectiveness, higher education, building design, time management, creativity, teamwork, narrative, postgraduate, decision-making, methodology, skills development, programme, digitalization |
| Subjects: | digital technology, architectural design, energy systems, learning methods, practitioner, specialized education, decision analysis, educational institutions, project controls, innovation and creative processes, industry analysis, higher education, research methods, performance management, management, architectural elements, professional development, personnel development, qualitative and interpretive research |
| Topics: | Education, Time Control, Organizational Design, Quality Management, Human Resources, Digital Applications, Design Practice, Sustainability, Risk Management, Roles and Professions, Information Management, Research Practice |
| Descriptive scope: | 3 PCT |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here