With the transfer of the sovereignty of Hong Kong from the UK to the People’s Republic of China in July 1997, construction professionals in Hong Kong have a greater opportunity to cooperate and work with construction professionals in Mainland China. Construction education is the main option for reducing the gap in knowledge and skills between Hong Kong (British style/regulations) and China (Chinese style/regulations). Hong Kong has been described as a ‘show case’ for Mainland China (Lee and Postiglione 1994). A study of construction education in China can provide us with valuable information on how to improve the teaching and learning quality of construction education in Hong Kong. The existing nature of construction management (CM) and the teaching and learning styles applied in Hong Kong have undergone preliminary studies (stage A, refer to project no. 7001411). The aim of this research is to improve the learning styles of higher education, in the field of CM, in Hong Kong and Mainland China (stage B). In order to achieve this project aim, the following objectives will have to be fulfilled: (1) evaluate (and compare) existing construction educational systems and CM courses in Mainland China (and Hong Kong); (2) investigate (and compare) the current learning styles for CM courses applied in Mainland China (and Hong Kong); (3) evaluate (and compare) the relationships between the learning styles and learning outcomes (academic performance/affective satisfaction) in Mainland China (and Hong Kong); and (4) identify the most effective learning styles for construction education in Hong Kong and Mainland China.

The findings of this proposed project will provide valuable input for redefining the curriculum objectives of each CM course (refer to item 1), and will serve to identify the most appropriate/satisfying learning styles (refer to items 3-5). Consequently, the development of appropriate teaching methods for CM courses in Chinese society will be carried out in subsequent research studies (stage C).

Team members:

Mei-yung LEUNG, Department of Building and Construction, City University of Hong Kong

Andrew Y.T. LEUNG, Department of Building and Construction, City University of Hong Kong

S.M. LO, Department of Building and Construction, City University of Hong Kong

David K.K. Chan, Department of Applied Social Studies, City University of Hong Kong

S. Thomas NG, Department of Civil Engineering, The University of Hong Kong

Z. FANG, School of Civil and Architectural Engineering, Wuhan University, PRC

Weixing JIN, Faculty of Management, Xian University of Architectural and Technology, PRC

Guangshe JIA, Lecturer, Faculty of Management, Tongji University, Shanghai, PRC

Papers:

Chen D.Y., Qiu W.H., Leung M.Y. (2007) Risk evaluation simulation model for the optimisation of activities in complicated IT projects. The Microcomputer and its Application, in press.

Leung M.Y., Wang Y., Olomolaiye P. (2007b) Models of causal relationships of critical teaching – surface learning process factors amongst construction engineering undergraduates. paper under review, (Journal for Education in Built Environment).

Wang Y., Leung M.Y., Lu M. (2007) Causality of surface learning approach for Chinese undergraduates. paper under review, (Researches in Education Development) ( in Chinese).

Wang Z.H., Leung M.Y., Qiu W.H. (2006) Applying entropy model to evaluate the performance of facilities management of schools. Systems Engineering, in press.

Dong Y., Leung M.Y. (2006) Exploring the relationship between Chinese values and approaches to learning. Proceeding of the International BEAR Conference 2006, 10th - 13th April 2006, H.K.: Polytechnic University of Hong Kong.

Leung M.Y., Chan J.L.W., Z.H. Wang (2006) Impact of school facilities on working behaviour of teachers. International Journal of Strategic Property Management, 10(2), 79-91.

Leung M.Y., Dong Y., Wong C.L. (2006c) Exploring the relationship between Chinese values and approaches to learning. Proceedings of the International BEAR Conference 2006, H.K: Polytechnic University of HK.

Leung M.Y., Li Y.K., Feng Z, Lu X.H., Lu M. (2006a) The learning approaches of construction engineering students: a comparative study between Hong Kong and Mainland China. Journal for Education in the Built Environment, 1(1), 112-131.

Leung M.Y., Wang Y., Chan K.K.D. (2006) A structural surface–achieving model in the teaching and learning process for construction engineering students. Journal of Professional Issues in Engineering Education and Practice, ASCE, in press.

Leung M.Y., Wang Y., Olomolaiye P. (2006) Models of causal relationships of critical teaching –surface learning process factors amongst construction engineering undergraduates. paper under review (Journal for Education in Built Environment).

Wang Y., Leung M.Y., Lu M. (2006) Causality of surface learning approach for Chinese undergraduates. paper under review (Researches in Education Development) in Chinese.

Wang Y., Leung M.Y., Jin W.X (2006) Empirical Study on Chinese Undergraduate Surface Approach. Journal of Modern University Education (in Chinese), 2006(3) / 99, 93-97.

Wang Z.H., Qiu W.H., Leung M.Y. (2006) Applying entropy model to evaluate the performance of facilities management. Journal of Beijing Institute of Technology (Social Sciences Edition), in Chinese, 18(6), 74-78.

Leung M.Y., Fung I.W.H. (2005) Enhancement of classroom facilities of primary schools and its impact on learning behaviours of students. Facilities, 23(13/14), 585-594.

Leung M.Y., Fung I.W.H. (2005) Enhancement of classroom facilities of primary schools and its impact on learning behaviours of students. Facilities, 23(13/14), 585-594.

Leung M.Y., Lu X.H., Ip H.Y. (2005) Investigating key components for the facility management of secondary schools in Hong Kong. Facilities, 23(5/6), 226-238.

Wang Z.H., Leung M.Y., Qiu W.H. (2005) Application of optimised multi-criteria decision making model based on information entropy and TOPSIS to facilities management. Systems Engineering (in Chinese), 262-265.

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