Construction Skills Research Articles

Designing Learning Centres that Facilitate Knowledge Construction on Science Process Skills in Early Childhood Classrooms

Science education is perceived to have the potential to develop 21st century competencies. In Zimbabwe, the teaching of science in early childhood by using learning centres is considered as a way of empowering young learners with scientific knowledge and skills to become productive citizens in future. To strengthen the initiative, resources are being channelled and policies crafted to support the teaching of STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics). Despite considerable efforts to introduce STEM in early childhood development (ECD), research concerning the benefits of developing science skills using learning centres is sparse. This study adopted an interpretive paradigm and multiple case study design for three schools and three purposively selected ECD teachers. Data was solicited through semi-structured interviews, document analysis and classroom observations. The variable nature of learning centres in ECD classrooms is an indication of shortcomings in policy on teaching using learning centres. At learning centres, learners construct scientific knowledge, ideas and skills through interaction with peers and developmentally appropriate materials. Teachers should be creative and innovative and create learning centres that enable learners to explore the world and construct scientific knowledge through active participation and sharing ideas. A policy to guide the teachers on constructing appropriate learning centres for effective teaching of science skills should be drafted.

Effects of cognitive training and group psychotherapy on cognitive performance of post COVID-19 patients: an exploratory and non-randomized clinical trial.

Cognitive complaints are common signs of the Post COVID-19 (PC) condition, but the extent and type of cognitive impairment may be heterogeneous. Little is known about neuropsychological treatment options. Preliminary evidence suggests cognitive symptoms may improve with cognitive training and naturally over time. In this clinical trial, we examined whether participation in a weekly group consisting of cognitive training and group psychotherapy is feasible and would exert beneficial effects on cognitive performance in PC and whether improvements were associated with intervention group participation or represented a temporal improvement effect during syndrome progression. 15 PC patients underwent an 8-week intervention. Cognitive performance was assessed before and after each intervention group participation. A control group of 15 PC patients with subjective neurocognitive or psychiatric complaints underwent two cognitive assessments with comparable time intervals without group participation. To attribute changes to the intervention group participation, interaction effects of group participation and time were checked for significance. This is an exploratory, non-randomized, non-blinded controlled clinical trial. Within the intervention group, significant improvements were found for most cognitive measures. However, significant time x group interactions were only detected in some dimensions of verbal memory and visuo-spatial construction skills. Significant time effects were observed for attention, concentration, memory, executive functions, and processing speed. The intervention setting was feasible and rated as helpful and relevant by the patients. Our results suggest that cognitive symptoms of PC patients may improve over time. Patients affected by both neurocognitive impairments and mental disorders benefit from group psychotherapy and neurocognitive training. The present study provides evidence for a better understanding of the dynamic symptomatology of PC and might help to develop further studies addressing possible therapy designs. The main limitations of this exploratory feasibility trial are the small sample size as well as the non-randomized design due to the clinical setting.

Digital improvements in the design and construction process of classical Chinese garden rockeries: a study based on material digitization

Rockeries have a complex and significant role in classical Chinese garden designs. They present distinct artistic characteristics and spatial hierarchies and are crucial to garden heritage conservation. Craftsmanship in rockery construction is a significant part of China’s intangible cultural heritage. Rockeries are primarily composed of naturally occurring rocks chosen for their uniqueness and complex shapes and textures. These rocks present challenges as nonstandard elements within the traditional Chinese garden context, as it is not easy to depict them using conventional blueprints and models. This complicates the design, adjustment, display, and construction of rockeries, which lacks tangible bases for reference. Consequently, the preservation and restoration of garden rockeries is difficult, and the perpetuation and dissemination of rockery construction skills face numerous challenges. This study introduces a method that combines laser scanning and photographic measurements to digitize precisely nonstandard elements of rockery stones. This approach presents an innovative design and construction workflow for rockeries by refining design processes, showcasing real effects, and resolving assembly issues. The results demonstrate that the combination of three-dimensional laser scanning and close-range photogrammetry can accurately replicate the complex forms and textures of these nonstandard elements. The stone coding and digital management system devised based on the logic of construction effectively satisfies the design and building requirements of rockeries. Correspondingly, the proposed digital construction workflow enhances the accuracy of rockery design, presentation, and evaluation, thereby contributing to the protection and restoration of rockery heritage sites and the transmission of rockery construction techniques.

Renewal strategies of industrial heritage based on placeness theory: The case of Guangzhou, China

Studying the preservation and reuse of industrial heritage can improve people's knowledge and understanding of cultural heritage, thus deepening their sense of identity and belonging to the local culture. This study applies the theory of placeness to protect industrial architectural heritage, promote the organic revitalization of urban space, enhance local identity, and realize the visualization of tacit knowledge. Based on the theory of placeness, this study constructs an indicator system for industrial architectural heritage renewal strategy. The indicator system includes four primary indicators, namely State of Matter, Policy System, Behavior and Spirit, and 23 secondary indicators. Exploratory factor analysis is carried out using the post-evaluation (POE) method. This study concludes that (1) there are seven strategy combinations for industrial heritage renewal, including artistic expression, landscape and space, humanistic connotation, industrial building, history and culture, architectural features, and construction skills. The combination of strategies can enhance the locality and architectural originality. (2) The strategy combinations can be used in the design, construction, and operation stages of the whole life cycle and have been empirically demonstrated in typical projects in Guangzhou. Building Construction Atlas, Climatic Suitability, Building History/People, and Industrial Equipment have a higher contribution to the renewal effect of industrial buildings. (3) The 23 renewal strategy elements based on placeness provide new ideas for coding methods of historic buildings and modeling of historic building information model (HBIM). These strategy elements can be used to construct a knowledge graph of historic buildings and visualize tacit knowledge to promote sustainable construction and twin city construction.

Exploring apprentice selection by skilled trade artisans in the Ghanaian construction industry

Purpose This paper aims to investigate the factors influencing trade artisans’ choice of skills selection as apprentice’s trainee in the Ghanaian construction sector and to identify and address the challenges associated with traditional apprenticeship. Trade artisans with technical know-how in construction and general workplace skills from the traditional apprenticeship training (TAT) in the area of construction were selected from selected sites and training centers. Design/methodology/approach This paper adopted the purposive sampling technique with the aim of gathering knowledge from individuals with expertise in the research area, particularly trade craftsmen who have been trained through the TAT system and are directly involved in construction-related works. Partial least square structure equation modelling (PLS-SEM) analytical approach and principal component analysis were used to reduce the dimensionality of the data set and preserve as much information as possible. Findings Three major components, namely, personal and social interest, job assessment and stability and family and faith were identified as the variables that influence an artisan's choice of a skill trade. These influenced the choice of apprenticeship training by young trainees in choosing apprenticeship as a mode of training. Personal interest, living situation of artisans and parents’ educational attainment are the most influencing factors that determine artisans’ choice of selected trades. Moreover, the study also shed light on the challenges inherent in traditional apprenticeship systems, such as the lack of formal technical education, limited access to modern technology and information and poor working conditions. Practical implications The study underscores the imperative for stakeholders to enhance apprenticeship programmes within the construction sector. This involves providing more stable job opportunities, improving working conditions and offering access to modern technology and information. Such enhancements not only attract more young individuals to apprenticeship training but also ensure the sustainability and relevance of the workforce in meeting industry demands. Originality/value The study finally developed a model that could be used as a foundation for future PLS-SEM evaluation and identified the factors that influence the selection of apprenticeship training by trade artisans.

Community-led vs. subsidised housing. Lessons from informal settlements in Durban

Rapid urbanization, poverty and socio-economic inequalities are causes of the backlog of informal settlements in South Africa, as dwellers cannot access formal housing schemes. Such unplanned settlements often need more basic services, social facilities and adequate housing. Nevertheless, informal settlements are core parts of the urban form rather than places for eradication. This article examines self-building and community-led upgrading practices in three case studies of partially and non-serviced informal settlements in Durban. It adopts action research participatory methods to coproduce knowledge and map various perspectives around community-led housing upgrading, building materials and construction skills in an effort to enhance community resilience and self-reliance. The findings reveal the key drivers and challenges associated with self-building, informal procurement and overall project management of the housing process. Successful grassroots practices demonstrate community ownership and dweller control beyond the physical upgrading per se. The lessons learned call for inclusive, participatory, and incremental approaches for effective community organization, self-reliance, social capital and livelihood development.

Handmade Porcelain in Jingdezhen：Research on Intangible Cultural Heritage from the Perspective of Identity Construction and Cultural Identity, China

Jingdezhen, known as the porcelain capital of China, has a glorious history of porcelain making for thousands of years, which has given birth to countless outstanding craftsmen. Jingdezhen handmade ceramics embody distinct national and regional characteristics and are important representatives of traditional handicrafts. Its "hand-made porcelain skills" and "traditional porcelain kiln workshop construction skills" were included in the first batch of China's national intangible cultural heritage list in 2006, marking the start of the intangible inheritance and protection of hand-made porcelain. Today, China's intangible cultural heritage protection work has made significant progress. However, in-depth research on the inheritors of "intangible cultural heritage" still has a long way to go. This study uses identity construction and cultural identity as the framework, focusing on the intangible inheritors of Jingdezhen handmade porcelain. It aims to explain the process of their identity construction and cultural identity. The research comprehensively uses field surveys, literature reviews, case analysis and other methods, and goes deep into the workshops. , the studio communicates face-to-face with intangible cultural heritage inheritors, and provides comprehensive research results for the protection and development of intangible cultural heritage inheritors of Jingdezhen handmade porcelain.

Integrating Computer Science in Basic Education Curriculum: Enhancing Innovation and Sophistication for Global Competitiveness

In this study, the researcher investigated the perceptions of professional teachers in the Jolo municipality toward Integrating Computer Science into the Basic Education Curriculum (ICSBEC), including the teachers’ required capability on skills and experiences, pupils’ constructive learning and analytical thinking and technological resources, tools, and facilities to facilitate innovation and sophistication in global competitiveness. The findings showed an agreeable response with the chi-square tabular value , which means all professional teachers' perceptions of ICSBEC are about the same, dependent on the following: teachers’ capability on skills and experiences; pupils’ constructive learning and analytical thinking; and technological resources, tools, and facilities needed to meet the need for innovation and sophistication (great skills) in global competitiveness. The findings revealed strong overall support for integrating computer science into the basic educational curriculum, with a mean score of 4.447(185 or 88.94%). They indicated perceived skills and experiences needed for teachers to instruct pupils, with a mean score of 4.341 (180 or 86.54%), agreeing strongly. The constructive learning and analytical thinking skills, with a mean score of 4.515 (187 or 89.90%), strongly agreed. The availability of appropriate technological resources, tools, and facilities to prepare students for global competitiveness, with a mean score of 4.692 (195 or 93.75%), strongly agreed. These results showed positive evidence that the ICSBEC holds potential impacts in cultivating innovation and sophistication among students’ preparedness in a globalized world. The study employed a descriptive-evaluative approach. To gather quantitative data, the researcher utilized surveys distributed to 208 professional teachers and the FGD for qualitative data. The FGD was selected among the supervisors, principals and classroom advisers who possessed the information sought.

Research on the yingzao chi restoration of palace buildings sans dougong in Ming and Qing Dynasties: a case study of Chongqing

As a unit of measurement for Chinese ancient construction, the yingzao chi (yingzaochi 营造尺) is of great significance to study long-term transformation of culture, construction skills, and the scale design rule of Chinese regional architectural heritage. But few scholars study the restoration method of the yingzao chi of palace buildings sans dougong (斗拱) in Chinese Ming and Qing Dynasties. Based on the yingzao chi theory, this paper studies and improves a theoretical method to help restore the yingzao chi of palace buildings sans dougong in Ming and Qing Dynasties. This method is not limited by the lack of reference of vernacular chi (xiangchi 乡尺) and can restore the yingzao chi of a single building through surveying data, and there is a smaller error in the calculation process. Three typical palace buildings without dougong in Ming and Qing Dynasties in Chongqing are selected as examples. The results show that the restored yingzao chi of these three buildings is highly similar, most likely 320.7–323.6 mm, which can verify the reliability of this method. This study can help to improve the research of yingzao chi and provide theoretical support for the protection of this kind of architectural heritage. Besides, the restoration of the yingzao chi provides a potential opportunity to explore how the technological and cultural of palace architecture spread, develop and blend.

Mastering knowledge construction skills through a context-aware ubiquitous learning model based on the case method and team-based projects

This research aims to prove the effectiveness of a context-aware ubiquitous learning model through the case method and team-based projects in enhancing the knowledge construction skills of students regarding instructional media. In this analysis, a quasi-experimental posttest-only control group design was used, with the subjects comprising 62 students. These students were subsequently split into experimental and control groups of 32 and 30 participants, respectively. An interaction analysis model was also used as the data collection instrument to characterize learning behavior in knowledge construction. This was reflected in a questionnaire, with an independent t-test statistical analysis technique used to analyze the data. The results showed that the context-aware ubiquitous learning model based on the case method and team-based project was effective in improving the knowledge construction skills of students. In managing learning, lecturers were also advised to utilize educational strategies that were more oriented toward the students, such as active techniques including case techniques and team-based projects.

THE INFLUENCE OF LEARNING INDEPENDENCE AND SELF-EFFICACY ON THE WORK READINESS OF CLASS

Background: This research is motivated by the emergence of symptoms of low learning independence which will result in the quality of learning outcomes. This study aims to: 1) Understand the influence of student learning independence on work readiness owned by class XII students of the Construction and Property Business Skills (CPBE) Program at SMK Negeri 2 Makassar, 2) Understand the influence of student self-efficacy on work readiness owned by class XII students of the CPBE Program at SMK Negeri 2 Makassar, 3) Understand the influence of learning independence and student self-efficacy on work readiness owned by class XII students of the CPBE Program at SMK Negeri 2 Makassar.Methods: This research uses a quantitative approach. The population in this study were XII grade students of the CPBE Program at SMK Negeri 2 Makassar, with a sample size of 56 students.Results: Based on the results of the analysis, shows that there is a tendency that the better the learning independence and self-efficacy received, the better the students' work readiness, and vice versa, the lower the learning independence and self-efficacy received by students, the lower the students' work readiness.Conclusion: The conclusions obtained are: 1). There is a positive influence between student learning independence on work readiness of class XII students in the CPBE Program at SMK Negeri 2 Makassar, 2). There is a positive influence between student self-efficacy and work readiness in class XII students of the CPBE Program at SMK Negeri 2 Makassar, 3). There is a positive influence between learning independence and student self-efficacy on work readiness in class XII students of the CPBE Program at SMK Negeri 2 Makassar

Cloud-Based Hierarchical Imitation Learning for Scalable Transfer of Construction Skills from Human Workers to Assisting Robots

Cloud-Based Hierarchical Imitation Learning for Scalable Transfer of Construction Skills from Human Workers to Assisting Robots

Application of big data technology in the medical field

This project aims to construct a knowledge graph system applied to the field of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) by extracting entities (such as drugs, diseases, etc.) and their relationships from TCM medical case data and storing them in a Neo4j database. The project process includes data reading, entity recognition and extraction, data formatting, and data import into the database. The project not only improved the individual's proficiency in Python data processing techniques (including regular expressions and JSON parsing) but also enhanced their skills in knowledge graph construction and database operations. In the future, there is a desire to further improve technical capabilities, explore more cutting-edge technologies in the TCM field, and promote project progress through collaboration, contributing to the modernization of TCM and intelligent healthcare services.

OPTIMISING LEARNING FOR HEARING-IMPAIRED STUDENTS: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF LET'S WRITE, A MOBILE APPLICATION, AND GOOGLE CLASSROOM LEARNING PLATFORM ON USABILITY, LEARNING MOTIVATION AND ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE

Hearing-impaired students struggle with writing, frequently make errors, and have limited sentence construction skills. Current learning platforms like Google Classroom do not have sign language support or content specifically designed for students with lower written comprehension, leading to frustration, sentence structure difficulties, and decreased motivation, as their unmet needs affect academic achievement. This study aimed to investigate if Let's Write, a mobile application, could address the essential writing skills needed for simple sentences, specifically focusing on the Preposition of Positions. The goal was to improve handwriting, accuracy, sentence structure, and punctuation by comparing it to the Google Classroom learning platform. The study was conducted using an experimental design, and the participants were chosen from government schools in Perak and Penang using purposive sampling. The study divided 80 hearing-impaired students into control (n=40) and experimental (n=40) groups, each using a different platform. Pre-tests, treatment (platform use), and post-tests were used to measure academic progress, while questionnaires assessed usability and motivation. The results showed that the Let's Write application provided a significantly more user-friendly and interactive learning environment. Students using the Let's Write application displayed higher self-assessment, focused on learning from mistakes, sought independent knowledge, and reported overall satisfaction. Importantly, the Let's Write application group showed greater academic improvement than the Google Classroom learning platform group. This suggests that mobile applications, particularly those incorporating sign language, can greatly enhance learning for hearing-impaired students by improving usability and learning motivation. It highlights the importance of tailored educational technologies in bridging the achievement gap. The study provides valuable insights for educators and developers to refine digital learning tools further.

Preparing England's further education system for zero-carbon construction skills

Skills issues for craft trades in building decarbonisation often focus on improving technical knowledge but known problems of quality assurance in construction also include ‘soft’ employability skills and the application of sustainability values in practice. New course content is a necessary but not sufficient component of changing practice. The real demand for skills and actual use of skills in the workplace is just as important as new skills supply. A deliberative workshop with 40 expert stakeholders investigated the preparedness of the education and training system for zero-carbon construction skills. Several challenges emerge from this research. The market context for jobs and skills training shows how the over-narrow focus on new courses leads to waste and failures. Policy has an important role to play in developing minimum vocational standards through licensing, allied to consistent, long-term industrial strategy. The low prestige of further education and vocational training hinders real skills development and recruitment and retention of the workforce. Colleges operate with limited resources and competing priorities, creating real constraints on important activities like teacher training. Short courses and continuing professional development have no common standards or link with initial education and training, leading to piecemeal learning of unknown quality.

Determining skills of basic schoolteachers in test item construction

AbstractAssessment practices play a crucial role in fostering student learning and guiding instructional decision‐making. The ability to construct effective test items is of utmost importance in evaluating student learning and shaping instructional strategies. This study aims to investigate the skills of Ghanaian basic schoolteachers in test item construction. The study focused on the revised Bloom's taxonomy. A cross‐sectional survey design was employed, and a questionnaire was developed and used to collect the needed data. The data were collected from 560 basic schoolteachers selected by using a simple random sampling technique. The participants comprised 280 male teachers and 280 female teachers. The data were collected and subjected to descriptive statistics analysis via mean, and standard deviation. While the p‐value (α ≤ 0.05) was used to determine the differences in the teachers' test item construction skills, the independence t‐test was used to compare the differences between the proficiency of male and female participants. The analysis revealed a notable contrast in how participants perceived their abilities in constructing test items, indicating a statistically significant difference. Specifically, female teachers demonstrated a stronger proficiency in test item construction skills compared to their male counterparts. Also, most teachers prioritised the lower levels within Bloom's taxonomy while crafting test items. Regular in‐service training on test item construction was recommended at the district level for teachers to update and upgrade their skills.

ORGANIZATION OF WORK ON PREPARATION FOR COMPOSITION TRAINING IN PRİMARY SCHOOL

The article examines the ways of preparing younger students to write compositions. For this reason, first of all, the importance to organize work on the systematic analysis of the structural and content features of the reading texts in the textbook is emphasized. It is noted that tasks aimed at understanding the concepts, such as ―text‖, ―idea of text‖, ―parts of text―, ―title‖, ―paragraph‖, ―plan‖, etc. introduce students to the structural features of the text, its composition and help to develop text construction skills.

A Novel Dual-Language Touch-Screen Intervention to Slow Down Cognitive Decline in Older Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Bilingualism has been suggested to protect older adults from cognitive aging and delay the onset of dementia. However, no studies have systematically explored bilingual usage as a tool to mitigate age-related cognitive decline. We developed the Dual-Language Intervention in Semantic memory-Computerized (DISC), a novel cognitive training program with three training tasks (object categorization, verbal fluency, and utility of things) designed specifically for older adults that featured two modes: single-language (SL) exposure mode and dual-language (DL) exposure mode. The final sample included 50 cognitively healthy (CH; 33 female, M age = 72.93 years, range = 53.08-87.43 years) and 48 cognitively impaired (CI; 35 female, M age = 80.93 years, range = 62.31-96.67 years) older adults, randomly assigned them into oneof threegroups: SL group, DL group, and control group (no training). Participants in SL and DL groups used DISC in either SL mode (i.e., training instructions were spoken in only one language throughout the entire training) or DL mode (i.e., training instructions alternated between two languages), respectively, for24 sessions. Participants in the control group were asked to continue with their normal daily activities (e.g., playing bingo and reading newspapers). For CH older adults, we found significant improvements in the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT) Trial 5 score and the Clock Drawing Test score in the DL group but not in the SL and control groups posttraining compared with pretraining. For CI older adults, there was a delayed improvement in the RAVLT Trial 1, sixmonths later. Our findings provided novel evidence that implementing DL cognitive training benefits CH older adult's late verbal learning and visuospatial construction skills, and a delayed improvement in CI older adults' early verbal learning abilities.

대학원 수업실행과 학술연구 분석에서의 ChatGPT 활용 사례연구

Objectives This study explored the potential use of ChatGPT in the teaching and learning aspects of a graduate course and reviewed its function as an analytical tool for qualitative and quantitative data collected through the course operations. Methods In this study, 21 graduate students used ChatGPT to generate questions while reviewing academic journal articles as part of their coursework. The study conducted formative and summative evaluations of the course and analyzed the collected data on the use of ChatGPT among graduate students using ChatGPT-4. Results The analysis indicated that the use of ChatGPT was helpful in deepening the understanding of academic journal articles. However, errors were encountered in the data analysis process using ChatGPT, necessitating the researcher to review and correct the outcomes derived from ChatGPT. Nevertheless, it is expected that such errors will decrease over time with advancements in generative AI technology and improvement in users' prompt construction skills. Conclusions This study investigates the current use of ChatGPT in education and academic research and provides insights into the effectiveness and improvement strategies for incorporating ChatGPT in higher education and scholarly research, serving as a case study of ChatGPT's application in graduate courses and academic research.

Beyond Preservation: Heritage as an Educational Practice Process at 141 Neil Road, Singapore

Over the past two decades, the concept of heritage has been significantly broadened, with an increasing number of scholars viewing it not as a set of static objects with fixed meanings but as a social process consciously endowed with commemorative functions through human creation. This research illustrates and empirically supports this perspective through a case study. Initially, the paper reviews the development of the heritage concept through the literature review and elaborates on the idea of “heritage as process”. Subsequently, it examines Singapore’s enriching exploration and successful implementation of heritage conservation, particularly since 2000, when the local government shifted from preserving historical buildings to a comprehensive conservation strategy that embraces a sense of place, identity, and memory and encourages a bottom-up participatory approach. Finally, this paper takes the transformation of the century-old townhouse at 141 Neil Road in Singapore as its focus. After being renovated into an urban architectural heritage conservation laboratory, the house has gradually become a place of heritage on Neil Road by training professionals’ construction skills, transforming its function, introducing technological explorations, and enhancing public interaction. This process has developed the abilities of heritage conservation professionals in desktop research, reuse design, and practical construction skills while simultaneously promoting community participation and heightening awareness of heritage conservation among local residents. Through daily practices, this historical townhouse gradually became a place of heritage on Neil Road, exemplifying the research theme that “heritage is a comprehensive and dynamic practice encompassing social, cultural, and technological dimensions”. From being preserved for renovation in 2020 to being approved as a “Heritage Show House” by the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) in 2023, the case of 141 Neil Road offers a new perspective in the heritage conservation field that “heritage is always in the process of becoming, rather than a constant given”.