Soetanto, R (2010) Act-UK simulation centre: Opportunities and challenges for research. In: Egbu, C (ed.) Proceedings of 26th Annual ARCOM Conference, 6-8 September 2010, Leeds, UK.
Abstract
Advanced Construction Technology Simulation Centre (ACT-UK) has recently been established at Coventry University, to provide an innovative facility for training future construction managers, enabled by semi-immersive virtual reality model of construction sites. In a typical training session, the trainees will face one snap-shot of construction site situation, called 'scenario' with the presence of various actors who will introduce site problems. By referring to information presented to them and interacting with the actors, the trainees will need to make decisions, and will receive feedback once the session ends. This innovative training presents important research challenges, especially due to many less well understood factors of the formation of skills afforded by this approach and the impact on performance in the workplace. The focus on 'soft' skills (rather than 'hard' technical skills) further heightens the complexity of understanding and 'measuring' the efficacy of this training. Within this context, the paper aims to propose a research framework, via a critical synthesis of key literature in related domains. The conceptual framework stands on three key sequential stages of pre-, on- and post-training, with one or more research themes in each stage. The framework integrates several research themes for harnessing the utility and realizing efficacy of this innovative learning approach. The research activities emanating from the framework will help to widen opportunities for the use of the ACT-UK in the future.
| Item Type: | Conference Paper (Paper) |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | communication; education; simulation; training; virtual reality |
| Index terms: | construction site, construction manager, virtual reality, conceptual framework, face, technical skill, presence, complexity, advanced construction technology |
| Subjects: | professional development, psychology, profession, work location, environmental science, manufacturing engineering, theoretical framing, systems engineering, virtual reality |
| Topics: | Information Management, Organizational Design, Roles and Professions, Sustainability, Site Management, Engineering Principles, Research Practice, Digital Applications |
| Descriptive scope: | 3 PCA |
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