Application of the REACT-Based Contextual Learning Model for Sustainability Education: Enhancing Students’ Understanding of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) in the AEC Industry

The global Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry faces mounting pressure to adopt Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles. However, current AEC education often fails to equip students with practical ESG competencies due to fragmented curricula and disconnects between theory and practice. This project addresses these gaps through the REACT-based contextual learning model—a five-phase framework (Relating, Experiencing, Applying, Cooperating, and Transferring) explicitly integrated into three critical ESG-related topics: ESG awareness, ESG strategies and implementation, and ESG assessment and reporting.(1) Relating → ESG AwarenessThe model begins by anchoring ESG concepts to students’ lived experiences. Through personal narratives and case studies, students connect abstract principles like carbon neutrality to tangible local challenges. This phase establishes a foundational understanding of societal and environmental stakes.(2) Experiencing → ESG strategies and implementationThe model then combines simulation and physical contexts to help students understand ESG strategies and implementation in the AEC industry. Students will engage in augmented reality (AR)-enabled simulations and on-site engagements with industry partners. These activities help translate theoretical strategies into actionable workflows.(3) Applying → ESG assessment and reportingIn this phase, students leverage large language models (LLMs) to analyze ESG reports from industry leaders, identifying best practices in data transparency, stakeholder engagement, and reporting standards. Teams then draft professional-grade ESG reports for real or simulated projects with LLMs, bridging classroom learning with industry expectations.(4) CooperatingCollaboration is embedded throughout all ESG topics, facilitated by the development of an interactive web platform. This platform hosts group discussions, project showcases, peer reviews, and shared insights, fostering a collaborative learning ecosystem that mirrors professional environments.(5) TransferringTo ensure the application of ESG principles beyond the classroom, the project incorporates regular reflection sessions, where students analyze how their learning can be applied to other challenges in sustainability and professional contexts.The project’s innovative integration of AR and AI technologies into the REACT model represents a significant advancement in sustainability education. By combining immersive simulations, personalized feedback, and advanced data analysis tools, the project not only bridges the gap between theory and practice but also equips students with cutting-edge competencies in ESG implementation. Furthermore, the creation of open-access educational resources and the interactive web platform ensures the scalability and reusability of the project outcomes across other disciplines and institutions.