Framework for Integrating Immersive Embodied Interaction into Construction Education and Training

This chapter delves into the challenges faced by the construction industry, such as inefficiencies, risks, and high accident rates, which are often linked to inadequate education and training. It emphasizes the need for innovative solutions like virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and mixed reality (MR) to create engaging, realistic, and interactive training experiences. The text discusses the limitations of traditional training methods and the benefits of immersive virtual environments, which offer hands-on learning and better knowledge retention. It also explores the use of assistive tracking technologies, such as Inertial Measurement Units (IMU), Global Positioning Systems (GPS), Radio Frequency Identification Devices (RFID), and advanced vision technologies, to enhance the training experience. The chapter proposes a conceptual framework for integrating immersive embodied interaction (IEI) into construction education, focusing on the application of sensing technologies like laser scanners. It highlights the importance of accurate tracking and feedback mechanisms for an effective educational experience and compares different approaches to integrating motion and tracking of physical objects in a VR environment. The chapter concludes by suggesting future research directions, including the integration of additional data-capturing tools and the extension of IEI to other applications in the construction industry.