Fostering Experiential Learning and Situational Awareness Via Reporting and Broadcasting About Pilot Projects

This research examines the possibilities of project reporting and broadcasting to improve situational awareness and experiential learning in academic settings. Drawing inspiration from the media industry’s use of news reporting to create general situation awareness, this work initially aimed to improve the situation awareness of project teams in Architecture Engineering and Construction (AEC) projects. However, our findings revealed an additional positive impact on experiential learning. Complex design and AEC projects often deviate from planned activities and timelines due to intricate task interdependencies and stakeholder influences. Effective project information management is crucial in such contexts. This work presents the results of two pilot studies conducted in an academic setting to assess the impact of regular project progress updates provided by a Situation Monitoring Analysis and Reporting Team (SMART) through broadcasts. The Qualitative findings of the study indicate multiple benefits of broadcasting and reporting. Firstly, recipients of project progress updates reported enhanced situational awareness, providing them with an improved understanding of project complexities. The video broadcast offered flexibility for the users to listen to the status of the renovation project in their comfort, allowing them to listen to a narrative instead of making efforts to read and find information. Secondly, participants in SMART reported increased attention to project details, leading to improved practical knowledge in design and project management. Lastly, the research highlighted that students often overlook experiential learning opportunities in their surroundings due to a lack of access to relevant details. SMART-led reporting and broadcasting capitalize on these missed opportunities by using familiar and desirable media formats, such as video reporting, to engage students and professionals alike. This research suggests that project reporting and broadcasting promote situation awareness and act as an experiential learning tool, coinciding with current trends in content sharing and learning preferences in an era where 21st-century skills are crucial.