Beyond BIM: The Evolution of an IT for Construction Course

Construction students must have the necessary competencies to be successful in the construction industry and the use of information technology is key to successful project administration. In order for students to be prepared, construction educators must be able to effectively teach broad information technology (IT) concepts to construction students to enhance their professional careers. The problem is that there are limited, readily available resources in academic literature regarding a teaching strategy for IT in construction that goes beyond teaching building information modeling (BIM) or virtual design and construction (VDC) to construction students. This paper presents the re-development of a course on IT in construction, for Drexel University’s Construction Management program utilizing the systematic course development process which is based on preparation, development, and improvement and the framework of course development processes based on needs assessment, course objectives, conceptualizing and organizing content, materials, and activities, evaluation techniques, and understanding available resources and constraints. The 10-week course covers topics in IT for construction that highlights the relevance of IT use by constructors at various project phases. Students are predominately evaluated via practical approaches, supplemented by theoretical evaluation. The course utilizes various software that have been evaluated by faculty to ensure applicability and practicality of industry use. Student competency of various IT skill sets, collaboration, and innovation were fundamental considerations for course development. Continuous improvement to the course is necessary and changes have been made to each iteration of the course. There is still a need to determine the efficacy of the course, collaboration among peer institutions, development of an online offering, and development of a graduate offering of the course.