ORCID

Abstract

Active learning methods are integrated across the honors-level Bachelor of Science in Building Information Modelling (BIM/Digital Construction) at Technological University Dublin. Now in its fifth year of operation, the course provides mature students working (or aiming to work) in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) Sector across Ireland with a wide range of well-integrated and intellectually engaging hands-on learning opportunities. The Irish government financially supports this course because the Irish AEC sector needs state-of-the-art knowledge and skills to help modernize construction methods for this small island nation. The Irish government's support underscores the significance of the course in addressing the country’s well-being. Hands-on aspects of the BIM curriculum include: researching to learn about digitalprinciples and standards; modeling using Revit, ArchiCAD, MagiCAD, and the like; combining models from various engineering and design fields and then running clash detections and developing basic cost estimates, construction plans, and animations of project phasing/sequencing using Navisworks; applying principles at work via work-based learning in each student’s workplace (or in an optional, simulated work environment); designing and conducting a research thesis project that involves reviewing published literature and case studies and sometimes documenting one’s own case of integrating action-research methods; building web-based portfolios to showcase one’s learning; authoring multiplereflective essays to develop one’s skills in reflective practice; and applying agile team management strategies to organizing a team’s work and managing a team’s projects. We hope the design and reporting of this course will inspire others seeking to teach BIM, support mature students and working professionals, and/or integrate active learning methods in the classesand courses they teach.

Keywords

Active Learning, Architecture, Building Information Modeling, Construction, Engineering, Pedagogy

Publication Date

2024-01-01

Publication Title

International Symposium on Project Approaches in Engineering Education

Volume

14

First Page

33

Last Page

42

Deposit Date

2025-07-24

Funding

This report draws from curriculum documents by Avril Behan and Deborah Brennan on behalf of TU Dublin (formerly the Dublin Institute of Technology). Their unique contributions laid the foundation for the very successful course we provide today.

Creative Commons License

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

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