Using e-learning to deliver construction technology for undergraduate students. A case study in Hong Kong

E-learning is an essential part of innovative, life-long learning opportunities for the 21st century. Many tertiary education institutions are developing an ever-increasing number of online programmes using advanced information and communications technologies (ICT). However, the benefits are not always an improvement over traditional modes of learning. This paper introduces the findings of a recent survey, which aims to investigate the feasibility of using ICT to deliver the subject of construction technology to undergraduate students. The paper provides a holistic view of the feasibility, effectiveness, efficiency and potential benefits of applying e-learning to construction technology. The findings show that e-learning is considered to be a practical method to study undergraduate construction technology. It is useful to help the students improve learning independence, learning efficiency and, to a certain extent, learning effectiveness. E-learning is particularly useful for part-time students compared with full-time, due to differences in learning characteristics and requirements. Nevertheless, these improvements would not necessarily result in achieving a better examination result in the subject. Significantly, the findings reveal that the single mode of face-to-face learning is preferred to the e-learning mode for delivering the subject of construction technology. In addition, the benefits of ICT may not be fully exploited.