Research Overview
For my research I am undertaking a case study of a pilot implementation of online learning supports to complement an existing module on low energy buildings to upskill construction workers in Ireland. The training programme originates from the EU funded initiative, QualiBuild (click here for details), a project for which I was responsible for the coordination and evaluation of a nationwide pilot. My study aims to explore the potential of e-learning in helping to improve the preparedness of learners for the face-to-face training. This will be achieved through an instructor evaluation engaging with colleagues who worked on the programme development and delivery and trainers who were upskilled under the QualiBuild initiative.
Context and background
At a national policy level, Ireland has committed to reducing its total energy consumption by 20% by the year 2020 (Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, 2007). As a pathway to meeting this target, Building Regulations and standards have been amended significantly since 2002, establishing a new approach to construction and renovation to prescribed energy performance standards. These standards will continue to evolve toward a near zero carbon framework for buildings by 2020 (European Commission, 2010).
Under the Build Up Skills imitative, the EU has supported the development of national roadmaps in each member state towards equipping construction workforce with the skills to deliver low energy buildings. The Build Up Skills Ireland (BUSI) National Roadmap listed a ‘foundation’ training for all construction workers as a priority training action. For Build UP Skills QualiBuild, the follow on project to BUSI, the development and nationwide piloting of such a training programme was seen as a high impact action that could generate momentum for a national roll-out of training for the construction workforce.
This programme has now been developed and piloted as a Foundation Energy Skills (FES) course with over 200 participants. The focus of this FES course has been the knowledge of the underpinning principles of low energy buildings and reinforcing the message of a need for a collaborative effort from all involved in the building construction process towards achievement of quality standards.
Under the Build Up Skills imitative, the EU has supported the development of national roadmaps in each member state towards equipping construction workforce with the skills to deliver low energy buildings. The Build Up Skills Ireland (BUSI) National Roadmap listed a ‘foundation’ training for all construction workers as a priority training action. For Build UP Skills QualiBuild, the follow on project to BUSI, the development and nationwide piloting of such a training programme was seen as a high impact action that could generate momentum for a national roll-out of training for the construction workforce.
This programme has now been developed and piloted as a Foundation Energy Skills (FES) course with over 200 participants. The focus of this FES course has been the knowledge of the underpinning principles of low energy buildings and reinforcing the message of a need for a collaborative effort from all involved in the building construction process towards achievement of quality standards.
Potential for an e-learning component
The scope and resources of the QualiBuild project did not allow for an exploration of the potential for e-learning to support independent learning and enhance the outcomes of the limited face-to-face training. My study aims to evaluate the potential of eLearning resources through testing and feedback from trainers involved in the development and delivery of the QualiBuild training.
research aims and objectives
The research question proposed is: What is the potential of multimodal e-learning supports to enhance the learning outcomes of an existing module on low energy buildings for upskilling of construction workers? Over the course of this study it is also intended to address a number of related sub-questions as follows:
(1) How can online learning supports be designed to provide effective multimodal representation of material on low energy buildings? (2) How effective do instructors think that these online supports will be in improving preparedness of students for face to face training?
(3) What are the factors affecting engagement/non-engagement with online learning supports?
(1) How can online learning supports be designed to provide effective multimodal representation of material on low energy buildings? (2) How effective do instructors think that these online supports will be in improving preparedness of students for face to face training?
(3) What are the factors affecting engagement/non-engagement with online learning supports?
research methods
The table below summarises my research methods and the timeline of the project activities.
References
Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (2007). Delivering a Sustainable Energy Future for Ireland. The Energy Policy Framework 2007 – 2020. Irish Government White Paper. Retrieved August 23rd 2016 from: http://www.seai.ie/About_Energy/Energy_Policy/European_Union_Drivers/EnergyWhitePaper12March2007.pdf
European Commission. (2010). Directive 2010/31/EU on the energy performance of buildings (recast). Retrieved online August 23rd 2016 from: http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2010:153:0013:0035:EN:PDF
European Commission. (2010). Directive 2010/31/EU on the energy performance of buildings (recast). Retrieved online August 23rd 2016 from: http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2010:153:0013:0035:EN:PDF