Developing web-based tools for teaching, training, learning and development: The role of academic institutions

Increasing demands and decreasing resources in the built environment sector point to critical needs for more effective teaching and learning tools for academia, as well as more efficient individual training and organizational learning mechanisms for industry. This paper 'overviews' two Web-based tools that target the upgrading of teaching-learning-training opportunities of university students and small and medium contractors (SMCs), respectively. Although these developments are based in Hong Kong, the overviews are preceded by a review of various challenges facing students and SMCs and the need for information and communication technology (ICT)-aided enterprise education in general. In terms of undergraduate teaching-learning, the reduced opportunities for actual site visits are being compensated for through Web-based 'virtual site visits', while supplementary knowledge on specific topics, such as 'construction work study', have also been captured in CIVCAL—a computer-aided teaching—learning package for civil engineering, building and construction undergraduates. The needs of SMCs in Hong Kong are being prioritized and addressed by the academia-led SMILE-SMC project, which it is envisaged will be eventually accessed by 'large' contractors, as well as consultants and clients. This would then enable them to communicate seamlessly on project-specific information management platforms to improve performance on specific projects and, indeed, across more sustainable construction supply chains.