Learning by Experience:A Game Approach to Teaching Construction Scheduling

To introduce students to the complexity of on-site management, a game-approach has been developed for teaching purposes to simulate the production control challenges site management is phasing. The simulation model has been both alpha and beta tested to ensure the validity of the model. The simulation model takes its outset in 9 on-site constraints which are used to identify key requirements of the simulation model. The game consists of three phases:(1) a scheduling phase; (2) a construction phase; and, (3) a follow-up phase. During the scheduling phase, it is decided what needs to be completed in the next construction "window" and the necessary resources are ordered. In the construction phase, the actual output is determined. Finally, in the follow-up phase, time usage and PPC are calculated and the schedule is updated. The feedback from the game session was positive where the game was found to be both amusing, engaging and an instructive experience at the same time.