Analysing Instances of Learning and Changes of Working and Learning Culture in Construction Sector
Author(s):
Pekka Ilmari Kamarainen (presenting / submitting) Joanna Burchert (presenting)
Lars Heinemann (presenting)
Werner Mueller (presenting)
Graham Attwell (presenting)
Ludger Deitmer (presenting)
Conference:
ECER 2013
Network:
02. Vocational Education and Training (VETNET)
Format:
Research Workshop

Session Information

02 SES 09 A, Analysing Instances of Learning and Changes of Working and Learning Culture in Construction Sector

Research Workshop

Time:
2013-09-12
11:00-12:30
Room:
A-101
Chair:
Pekka Ilmari Kamarainen

Contribution

The workshop is organised as a part of the empirical research that is carried out for the EU FP7 project Learning Layers (LL). The project has the task to analyse tho role of ICT- and Web-support for informal workplace learning in two occupational clusters (healthcare and construction cluster). Alongside the research tasks that focus on workplace learning the project has developmental tasks that cover system solutions, software solutions, scaffolding and piloting. Based upon the pilot experiences the project shall develop approaches for wider user-engagement and scaling up of the pilot activities.

In the first phase ITB (as coordinator of the activities focusing on the construction cluster) has carried out a series of interviews in different areas of construction work (including training centres and multiplier organisations for particular areas of expertise). In the next phase some parts of the interview material has been used as a basis for 'user stories' to illustrate such episodes in work and learning that can be supported by ICT and web technologies. These draft stories have been worked into visualisations that have been used in participative  workshops involving researchers, technical partners and users from construction sector. The preliminary conclusions are taken further in a Design Conference that involves both clusters (construction and health care).

In the next phase ITB and Pontydysgu offer  participants of ECER an opportunity to join in as visitors to explore the (anonymised) interview materials and to work with the analyses. The aim of this research workshop is:

  1. To identify instances of learning and professional development from the interview material that mainly focuses on (potential) use of ICT and web to optimise work processes in construction sector.
  2. To identify indications of change in working and learning culture (in particular regarding the growth ICT-and web-related competences and regarding the capability to influence others' use of ICT and web).
  3. To specify the potential role of formal and informal learning in promoting innovations in construction sector in different European countries.

This phase of work in the LL project paves the way for more focused participative design-oriented workshops that explore the prospects for system solutions, software solutions, scaffolding concepts and specific web applications. Parallel to this, other workshops will provide insights into supporting domain-specific learning processes with appropriate learning arrangements.

Method

The authors of the proposal prepare different sets of (anonymised) interview material that includes visualisations and separate interview statements. The authors host different topic tables in which the participants can work with different guiding questions, such as: a) The role of initial and continuing vocational training: Top what extent are craftsmen in the construction trades relying on apprenticeship training? From whom and what sources do they learn later on? b) The processes of informal learning: How is knowledge gained and shared with colleagues? Here, inter alia, the use of metaphors and the role of generation/hierarchy conflicts will be sketched. c) The use of digital media: How is the relationship between private media practices and the use of digital media on the building site? Different examples will be shortly presented to illustrate background for phenomena we have encountered. In the parallel topic tables participants will rearrange the material into contextual images that illustrate different instances of learning, changes of learning cultures and drivers of change (or obstacles to changes).

Expected Outcomes

The proposal is based on work in progress at a relatively early phase of the project. However, already at this phase of the work it is possible to present a working hypothesis that workplace learning is strongly embedded into a learning culture. This learning culture is formed by actual societal movements (e.g. the implementation of digital media) as well as by traditions (which e.g. formed the educational system and forms of work organisation). Due to the deliberately 'naive' research strategy in collecting initial data from the construction sector, it is possible to follow different lines of inquiry in interpreting specific learning instances, key features of working and learning cultures and of innovation potentials (regarding the domain-specific use of ICT and Web).

References

The workshop is supported by research papers (independent paper proposals) that prepare the conceptual ground. As specific reference for this workshop see Bernhard, A. (2006). “Simplify your life! Die Infantilisierung der gesellschaftlichen Lernräume und die Vermüllung des Bewusstseins als neue pädagogische Herausforderungen”. In: Jahrbuch der Pädagogik. Schwerpunktheft „Infantilisierung des Lernens? Neue Lernkulturen – ein Streitfall“, S. 59-74.

Author Information

Pekka Ilmari Kamarainen (presenting / submitting)
University of Bremen, Germany
Joanna Burchert (presenting)
University of Bremen, Germany
Lars Heinemann (presenting)
University of Bremen, Germany
Werner Mueller (presenting)
University of Bremen, Germany
Graham Attwell (presenting)
Pontydysgu Ltd., UK, Wales
Ludger Deitmer (presenting)
University of Bremen, Germany

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