BIM Collaboration in Student Architectural Technologist Learning

This paper is the result of a qualitative case study which investigated the influence of building information modelling (BIM) collaboration on the learning of student architectural technologists based around a studio group project. The purpose of the paper is to disseminate knowledge gained into a new learning environment facilitated by the collaborative properties of a BIM application. A qualitative case study approach has been used to undertake the examination of the learners' experiences during the project. This approach allowed the author to map the complex interaction between the participants during the stages of the collaborative design project. The paper provides evidence of a new learning environment created in the studio setting. This learning is facilitated by the collaboration tools and work-set methodology of the BIM application. This case study will support higher education institutions proposing to introduce collaborative BIM applications into a built environment curriculum and also may act as a catalyst to encourage educators to adopt a similar approach to teaching in a range of other professions. This research supports a need in higher education to provide for transition from theory to workplace practice and identifies a potential for higher level learning facilitated by collaborative BIM technologies and methodologies.