A Pan European Initiative to Formulate a Framework for Blended Learning Targeting Continuing Professional Development in the Construction Industry

Abstract

Learning is a complex set of inter-related cognitive processes. In higher education changes that can be identified are the need to become more flexible in the delivery of lifelong learning opportunities to meet the needs of construction professionals and integrating e-learning technology in the delivery of these programmes. The evolution of ICT continues at a rapid rate and technological standards continue to evolve to allow for adaptability, interoperability and reuseability of online material. For higher education, the intensive resource requirements required in the development of e-learning content and the challenges in accommodating different learning styles, developing an e-learning programme can be a resource intensive exercise for higher education. Coupled with this, many e-learning initiatives have been less than successful for a number of reasons. A network of educational institutions in Europe has come together to develop a framework focused on the lifelong learning needs of engineers and other professionals in the construction industry while participants remain in employment. The main objective of this network is to establish a platform where different instructional strategies to accommodate different learning styles and cognitive processes will be developed. Other target groupings include other higher-level institutes outside of the partner institutes and professional and industrial representative bodies in the construction industry who may integrate the lessons learned into their programmes. The major expected outputs are a database of learning resources that may be integrated into CPD learning programmes delivered in a blended learning format. A methodology to formulate this framework is outlined.