TY - GEN
T1 - Improving course comprehension through experiential learning
AU - Davis, Kirsten A.
AU - Cline, R. Casey
PY - 2009
Y1 - 2009
N2 - While lectures are the most common way to teach students, they are not necessarily the best way to convey some types of information. Consider the famous quote by Confucius: "I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand." This paper discusses a hands-on experiential learning laboratory, which complements the lecture in a Construction Management (CM) materials and methods course. Many CM programs avoid hands-on experiences due to the vocational/technical stigma. However, experiential learning transforms construction concepts that are often abstract and out of context for many students in an exclusively lecture course into tangible objects and processes. The hands-on laboratory reinforces and supplements material covered in lecture and improves course comprehension by allowing students to learn through discovery. The laboratory aspect of the course also improves leadership, promotes teamwork, and increases student confidence. This paper discusses specific laboratory experiences used and their educational value, student feedback regarding the experiential labs, and lessons learned for CM programs interested in adding or expanding their hands-on learning experiences for students.
AB - While lectures are the most common way to teach students, they are not necessarily the best way to convey some types of information. Consider the famous quote by Confucius: "I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand." This paper discusses a hands-on experiential learning laboratory, which complements the lecture in a Construction Management (CM) materials and methods course. Many CM programs avoid hands-on experiences due to the vocational/technical stigma. However, experiential learning transforms construction concepts that are often abstract and out of context for many students in an exclusively lecture course into tangible objects and processes. The hands-on laboratory reinforces and supplements material covered in lecture and improves course comprehension by allowing students to learn through discovery. The laboratory aspect of the course also improves leadership, promotes teamwork, and increases student confidence. This paper discusses specific laboratory experiences used and their educational value, student feedback regarding the experiential labs, and lessons learned for CM programs interested in adding or expanding their hands-on learning experiences for students.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=69949098624&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1061/41020(339)143
DO - 10.1061/41020(339)143
M3 - Conference contribution
AN - SCOPUS:69949098624
SN - 9780784410202
T3 - Building a Sustainable Future - Proceedings of the 2009 Construction Research Congress
SP - 1409
EP - 1418
BT - Building a Sustainable Future - Proceedings of the 2009 Construction Research Congress
T2 - 2009 Construction Research Congress - Building a Sustainable Future
Y2 - 5 April 2009 through 7 April 2009
ER -