From Breadth to Depth: A Transformative Sustainability Learning Approach to Teaching Sustainable Construction

10 pages•Published: June 2, 2026

Abstract

Current pedagogies in sustainable construction education often emphasize theoretical coverage of numerous topics under the motto “breadth as strength”, a pattern that can reduce student engagement and limit the development of practical competence. Addressing this gap, this study introduces a pedagogical shift that prioritizes student engagement by emphasizing “depth as strength” while still maintaining essential breadth. A teaching framework was developed using the Transformative Sustainability Learning (TSL) model as the foundation and enriched with Kolb’s Experiential Learning Theory and Keller’s ARCS motivational model. TSL integrates the cognitive (head), experiential (hands), and affective (heart) dimensions of learning, and the incorporation of Kolb and ARCS provided a strong pedagogical basis for intentional activity design and sequencing. The framework was applied to teach indoor air quality (IAQ) within a construction management sustainability course, combining traditional instruction with hands-on testing of pollutants from building and household materials, followed by guided discussions and reflective reporting on IAQ impacts and mitigation strategies. Implemented over five semesters, analysis of student reflections showed that most participants found the approach highly effective, describing it as thought-provoking, engaging, and emotionally meaningful. The results suggest that this framework can be adapted to other theory-based courses to enhance student engagement and support deeper learning.

Keyphrases: experiential learning, sustainable education, transformative sustainability learning

In: Wesley Collins, Anthony Perrenoud and John Posillico (editors). Proceedings of Associated Schools of Construction 62nd Annual International Conference, vol 7, pages 187-196.

Links:	https://easychair.org/publications/paper/J3DdW
	https://doi.org/10.29007/92ng

BibTeX entry

@inproceedings{ASC2026:From_Breadth_Depth_Transformative,
  author    = {Sundeep Inti and Mavis Bediaku},
  title     = {From Breadth to Depth: A Transformative Sustainability Learning Approach to Teaching Sustainable Construction},
  booktitle = {Proceedings of Associated Schools of Construction 62nd Annual International Conference},
  editor    = {Wesley Collins and Anthony Perrenoud and John Posillico},
  series    = {EPiC Series in Built Environment},
  volume    = {7},
  publisher = {EasyChair},
  bibsource = {EasyChair, https://easychair.org},
  issn      = {2632-881X},
  url       = {/publications/paper/J3DdW},
  doi       = {10.29007/92ng},
  pages     = {187-196},
  year      = {2026}}

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