Share:


Conceptualising building information modelling for construction education

    Theophilus Olowa Affiliation
    ; Emlyn Witt Affiliation
    ; Irene Lill Affiliation

Abstract

Digitalisation of the construction industry is both driving changes in construction education to meet emerging industry needs and providing opportunities for new delivery approaches. Universities are responding to these challenges in diverse ways including in their use of Building Information Modelling for construction education (BfCE). This research is aimed at understanding the existing approaches to BfCE. A systematic literature review of BfCE in universities was carried out which identified 305 relevant articles including 44 specific cases of BfCE. These were qualitatively analysed and a Straussian Theory Model (STM) was adopted to understand the different BfCE approaches reported in the literature, the contextual and intervening conditions which give rise to them and their consequences in order to develop a conceptual framework which sets out the relationships between these and the digitalisation of the construction industry. This study provides construction educators with a descriptive typology that depicts all possible BfCE approaches and which could assist them in determining suitable approaches and to conceptualise new approaches for teaching students to use Building Information Modelling (BIM) and also for leveraging BIM to enhance their teaching of other topics.

Keyword : Building Information Modelling, BIM education, AEC-FM, Grounded Theory, Straussian Theory Model, systematic literature review, construction education

How to Cite
Olowa, T., Witt, E., & Lill, I. (2020). Conceptualising building information modelling for construction education. Journal of Civil Engineering and Management, 26(6), 551-563. https://doi.org/10.3846/jcem.2020.12918
Published in Issue
Jun 19, 2020
Abstract Views
1699
PDF Downloads
1157
Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

References

Abdirad, H., & Dossick, C. S. (2016). BIM curriculum design in architecture, engineering, and construction education: a systematic review. Journal of Information Technology in Construction (ITcon), 21, 250–271.

Adamu, Z. A., & Thorpe, T. (2016). How universities are teaching BIM: A review and case study from the UK. Journal of Information Technology in Construction (ITcon), 21, 119–139.

Barham, W., Meadati, P., & Irizarry, J. (2011). Enhancing student learning in structures courses with building information modeling. In Proceedings of Congress on Computing in Civil Engineering (pp. 850–857). American Society of Civil Engineers, Reston, VA. https://doi.org/10.1061/41182(416)105

Barison, M. B., & Santos, E. T. (2018). Advances in BIM Education. In I. Mutis, R. Fruchter, & C. C. Menassa (Eds.), Transforming engineering education (pp. 45–122). American Society of Civil Engineers, Reston, VA. https://doi.org/10.1061/9780784414866.ch04

Bearman, M., Smith, C. D., Carbone, A., Slade, S., Baik, C., Hughes-Warrington, M., & Neumann, D. L. (2012). Systematic review methodology in higher education. Higher Education Research and Development, 31(5), 625–640. https://doi.org/10.1080/07294360.2012.702735

Becerik-Gerber, B., Ku, K., & Jazizadeh, F. (2012). BIM-enabled virtual and collaborative construction engineering and management. Journal of Professional Issues in Engineering Education & Practice, 138(3), 234–245. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)EI.1943-5541.0000098

Bozoglu, J. (2016). Collaboration and coordination learning modules for BIM education. Journal of Information Technology in Construction (ITcon), 21, 152–163.

Brioso, X., Murguia, D., & Urbina, A. (2017). Comparing three scheduling methods using BIM models in the Last Planner System. Organization Technology and Management in Construction, 9(1), 1604–1614. https://doi.org/10.1515/otmcj-2016-0024

Charlesraj, V. P. C., Sawhney, A., Singh, M. M., & Sreekumar, A. (2015). BIM studio – An immersive curricular tool for construction project management education. In Proceedings of the 32nd International Symposium on Automation and Robotics in Construction and Mining: Connected to the Future. International Association for Automation and Robotics in Construction I.A.A.R.C, Oulu, Finland. https://doi.org/10.22260/ISARC2015/0036

Chiuini, M., Grondzik, W., King, K., McGinley, M., & Owens, J. (2013). Architect and engineer collaboration: The solar decathlon as a pedagogical opportunity. In AEI 2013 (pp. 216–225). American Society of Civil Engineers, Reston, VA. https://doi.org/10.1061/9780784412909.021

Clarke, B. (2012). The 2011 James Forrest lecture – engineering education – a historical perspective of the future. Civil Engineering and Environmental Systems, 29(3), 191–212. https://doi.org/10.1080/10286608.2012.710612

Comiskey, D., McKane, M., Jaffrey, A., Wilson, P., & Mordue, S. (2017). An analysis of data sharing platforms in multidisciplinary education. Architectural Engineering and Design Management, 13(4), 244–261. https://doi.org/10.1080/17452007.2017.1306483

Corbin, J. M., & Strauss, A. (1990). Grounded theory research: Procedures, canons, and evaluative criteria. Qualitative Sociology, 13(1), 3–21. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00988593

Creswell, J. W. (2012). Educational research Planning, conducting, and evaluating quantitative and qualitative research (4th ed.). Pearson.

Deniz, G. O. (2018). Emerging cad and bim trends in the AEC education: An analysis from students’ perspective. Journal of Information Technology in Construction (ITcon), 23, 138–156.

Dougherty, J. U., & Kevin Parfitt, M. (2013). Student and practitioner collaboration in an online knowledge community: Best practices from a capstone course implementation. Journal of Architectural Engineering, 19(1), 12–20. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)AE.1943-5568.0000100

Du, J., Zou, Z., Shi, Y., & Zhao, D. (2017). Simultaneous data exchange between BIM and VR for collaborative decision making. In ASCE International Workshop on Computing in Civil Engineering 2017. Seattle, Washington, USA. https://doi.org/10.1061/9780784480830.001

Eastman, C., Teicholz, P., Sacks, R., & Liston, K. (2011). BIM handbook: A guide to building information modeling for owners, managers, designers, engineers and contractors. John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Evans, J., & Benefield, P. (2001). Systematic reviews of educational research: Does the medical model fit? British Educational Research Journal, 27(5), 527–541. https://doi.org/10.1080/01411920120095717

Feenberg, A. (2001). Questioning technology (2nd ed.). Taylor & Francis.

Feenberg, A. (2017). Critical theory of technology and STS. Thesis Eleven, 138(1), 3–12. https://doi.org/10.1177/0725513616689388

Ferrandiz, J., Banawi, A., & Peña, E. (2018). Evaluating the benefits of introducing “BIM” based on Revit in construction courses, without changing the course schedule. Universal Access in the Information Society, 17(3), 491–501. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10209-017-0558-4

Gough, D. (2007). Weight of evidence: A framework for the appraisal of the quality and relevance of evidence. Applied and Practice-Based Research, 22(2), 213–228. https://doi.org/10.1080/02671520701296189

Helle, L., Tynjälä, P., & Olkinuora, E. (2006). Project-based learning in post-secondary education – Theory, practice and rubber sling shots. Higher Education, 51(2), 287–314. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10734-004-6386-5

Heidegger, M. (1977). The question concerning technology and other essays. Harper & Row, Publishers, Inc.

Hijazi, I., Donaubauer, A., & Kolbe, T. (2018). BIM-GIS integration as dedicated and independent course for geoinformatics students: Merits, challenges, and ways forward. ISPRS International Journal of Geo-Information, 7(8), 319. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijgi7080319

Hu, M. (2019). BIM-enabled pedagogy approach: Using BIM as an instructional tool in technology courses. Journal of Professional Issues in Engineering Education and Practice, 145(1), 05018017-1-05018017–05018019. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)EI.1943-5541.0000398

Hwang, S., & Safa, M. (2017). Learning advanced decision-making techniques and technologies through a collaborative project. In ASCE International Workshop on Computing in Civil Engineering 2017. Seattle, Washington, USA. https://doi.org/10.1061/9780784480830.005

Jin, R., Yang, T., Piroozfar, P., Kang, B.-G., Wanatowski, D., Hancock, C. M., & Tang, L. (2018). Project-based pedagogy in interdisciplinary building design adopting BIM. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, 25(10), 1376–1397. https://doi.org/10.1108/ECAM-07-2017-0119

Kim, J. J. (2014, June). Effectiveness of green-BIM teaching method in construction education curriculum. Paper presented at 2014 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, Indianapolis, Indiana.

Leite, F. (2016). Project-based learning in a building information modeling for construction management course. Journal of Information Technology in Construction (ITcon), 21, 164–176.

Lewis, A. M., Valdes-Vasquez, R., Clevenger, C., & Shealy, T. (2015). BIM energy modeling: Case study of a teaching module for sustainable design and construction courses. Journal of Professional Issues in Engineering Education and Practice, 141(2), C5014005. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)EI.1943-5541.0000230

Livingston, C. (2008). From CAD to BIM: Constructing opportunities in architectural education. In Architectural Engineering Conference (AEI) 2008. Denver, Colorado, USA. https://doi.org/10.1061/41002(328)5

Mathews, M. (2013). BIM collaboration in student architectural technologist learning. In M. Mathews (Ed.), Architectural technology: Research & practice. Wiley. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118292365.ch5a

Mills, J. E., & Treagust, D. (2003). Engineering education, is problem-based or project-based learning the answer. Australasian Journal of Engineering Education, 3(2), 2–16.

Monson, C., & Dossick, C. S. (2014). Knowledge transfer with technology: Interdisciplinary team experiences in design and construction education. In 2014 International Conference on Computing in Civil and Building Engineering (pp. 2184–2191). Orlando, Florida, USA. https://doi.org/10.1061/9780784413616.271

Nassar, K. (2012). Assessing building information modeling estimating techniques using data from the classroom. Journal of Professional Issues in Engineering Education and Practice, 138(3), 171–180. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)EI.1943-5541.0000101

Nawari, N. O., Chichugova, T., Mansoor, S., & Delfin, L. (2014). BIM in structural design education. In 2014 International Conference on Computing in Civil and Building Engineering (pp. 2143–2150). Orlando, Florida, USA. https://doi.org/10.1061/9780784413616.266

Palomera-Arias, R. (2015, October). Building information modeling laboratory exercises in a construction science and management building systems course. In 2015 IEEE Frontiers in Education Conference (FIE). IEEE. https://doi.org/10.1109/FIE.2015.7344058

Palomera-Arias, R., & Liu, R. (2016). BIM laboratory exercises for a MEP systems course in a construction science and management program. Journal of Information Technology in Construction (ITcon), 21, 188–203.

Phillips, M., Van Epps, A. S., Johnson, N. E., & Zwicky, D. A. (2018). Effective methods of engineering information literacy: Initial steps of a systematic literature review and observations about the literature. In ASEE Annual Conference and Exposition. Salt Lake City, UT, USA. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.acalib.2018.10.006

Pikas, E., Sacks, R., Hazzan, O. (2013). Building information modeling education for construction engineering and management. II: Procedures and implementation case study. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 139(11), 5013002. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)CO.1943-7862.0000765

Puolitaival, T., & Forsythe, P. (2016). Practical challenges of BIM education. Structural Survey, 34(4/5), 351–366. https://doi.org/10.1108/SS-12-2015-0053

Quirk, V. (2019). A brief history of BIM. Arch Daily. http://www.archdaily.com/302490/a-brief-history-of-bim

Ramalingam, S. (2018, July). Mapping of BIM process for teaching Lean. In 26th Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction. Chennai, India. https://doi.org/10.24928/2018/0258

Rassati, G. A., Baseheart, T. M., & Stedman, B. (2010). An interdisciplinary capstone experience using BIM. In Structures Congress 2010 (pp. 1689–1698). Orlando, Florida, USA. https://doi.org/10.1061/41130(369)154

Sacks, R., & Pikas, E. (2013). Building information modeling education for construction engineering and management. I: Industry requirements, state of the art, and gap analysis. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 139(11), 04013016. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)CO.1943-7862.0000759

Sampaio, A. Z. (2015). The introduction of the BIM concept in civil engineering curriculum. International Journal of Engineering Education, 31(1), 302–315.

Sands, K. S., Fiori, C. M., & Suh, M. J. (2018). Beyond BIM: The evolution of an IT for construction course. In Construction Research Congress 2018 (pp. 54–64). New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. https://doi.org/10.1061/9780784481301.006

Shanbari, H. A., Blinn, N. M., & Issa, R. R. (2016). Laser scanning technology and BIM in construction management education. Journal of Information Technology in Construction (ITcon), 21, 204–217.

Sharag-Eldin, A., & Nawari, N. O. (2010). BIM in AEC education. In Structures Congress 2010 (pp. 1676–1688). Orlando, Florida, USA. https://doi.org/10.1061/41130(369)153

Shenton III, H. W., Conte, P. R., Bonzella, J., Shenton, III, H. W., Conte, P. R., & Bonzella, J. (2014). A first course in BIM for civil engineering majors. In Structures Congress 2014 (pp. 1097–1105). Boston, Massachusetts, USA. https://doi.org/10.1061/9780784413357.098

Solnosky, R. L. (2018). Opportunities for BIM to enhance structural engineering curricula. In Structures Conference 2018 (pp. 522–532). Fort Worth, Texas, USA. https://doi.org/10.1061/9780784481349.050

Solnosky, R. L., & Parfitt, M. K. (2015). A curriculum approach to deploying BIM in architectural engineering. In AEI 2015 (pp. 651–662). Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA. https://doi.org/10.1061/9780784479070.057

Strauss, A. L., & Corbin, J. M. (1998). Basics of qualitative research: techniques and procedures for developing grounded theory. Sage Publications.

Suwal, S., & Singh, V. (2018). Assessing students’ sentiments towards the use of a Building Information Modelling (BIM) learning platform in a construction project management course. European Journal of Engineering Education, 43(4), 492–506. https://doi.org/10.1080/03043797.2017.1287667

Tranquillo, J., & Kline, W. A., & Hixson, C. (2018, June). Studentcreated canvases as a way to inform decision-making in a capstone design sequence. Paper presented at 2018 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition. Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.

Underwood, J., Khosrowshahi, F., Pittard, S., Greenwood, D., & Platts, T. (2019). Embedding Building Information Modelling (BIM) within the taught curriculum: Supporting BIM implementation and adoption through the development of learning outcomes within the UK academic context for built environment programmes. The Higher Education Academy. https://www.heacademy.ac.uk/system/files/bim_june2013.pdf

Urquhart, C. (1997). Exploring analyst-client communication: Using grounded theory techniques to investigate interaction in informal requirements gathering. In A. S. Lee, J. Liebenau, & J. I. DeGross (Eds.), Information systems and qualitative research (pp. 149–181). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-35309-8_10

Wang, L., & Leite, F. (2014). Process-oriented approach of teaching building information modeling in construction management. Journal of Professional Issues in Engineering Education and Practice, 140(4), 04014004. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)EI.1943-5541.0000203

Witt, E., & Kähkönen, K. (2019). BIM-enabled education: a systematic literature review. In 10th Nordic Conference on Construction Economics and Organization (Emerald Reach Proceedings Series), 2, 271–279. https://doi.org/10.1108/S2516-285320190000002042

Wong, K. A., Wong, K. F., & Nadeem, A. (2011). Building information modelling for tertiary construction education in Hong Kong. Journal of Information Technology in Construction (ITcon), 16, 467–476.

Wu, W., & Hyatt, B. (2016). Experiential and project-based learning in BIM for sustainable living with tiny solar houses. Procedia Engineering, 145, 579–586. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.proeng.2016.04.047

Wu, W., & Luo, Y. (2016). Pedagogy and assessment of student learning in BIM and sustainable design and construction. Journal of Information Technology in Construction (ITcon), 21, 218–232.

Yi, T., & Yun, S. (2018, October). BIM (Building Information Modeling) education program in KSA: A case study of BIM program at Prince Sultan University. In International Conference on Civil and Environmental Engineering (ICCEE 2018), (Vol. 65, Article number 04004). EDP Sciences. https://doi.org/10.1051/e3sconf/20186504004

Zhang, J., Xie, H., & Li, H. (2017). Competency-based knowledge integration of BIM capstone in construction engineering and management education. International Journal of Engineering Education, 33(6), 2020–2032.

Zhang, J., Wu, W., & Li, H. (2018). Enhancing building information modeling competency among civil engineering and management students with team-based learning. Journal of Professional Issues in Engineering Education and Practice, 144(2), 5018001. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)EI.1943-5541.0000356

Zhao, D., McCoy, A. P., Bulbul, T., Fiori, C., & Nikkhoo, P. (2015). Building collaborative construction skills through BIM-integrated learning environment. International Journal of Construction Education and Research, 11(2), 97–120. https://doi.org/10.1080/15578771.2014.986251