Teaching Development Grants
Completed TDG Projects

IT in the Curriculum and E-learning

Integrating Moodle in BIM-facilitated Quantity Surveying Education


Abstract

Project Aims
To explore how the innovative technology, Building Information Modelling (BIM), can be integrated into Quantity Surveying (QS) curriculum and how the BIM-facilitated QS curriculum can be fostered by Moodle.

Methods

  1. The QS curriculum was redesigned to incorporate both traditional QS measurement and BIM-facilitated QS practices.
  2. Collaborative learning platforms were developed on Moodle, which includes multi-level forums for students to share, exchange and further develop their knowledge.
  3. Data was collected via:
    • Reflective journals – Based on the experience of group projects using both traditional and BIM-facilitated measurement methods, the benefits of both methods were compared and contrasted.
    • Students’ interaction on the online platform – Social network analysis was conducted to investigate students’ interaction and knowledge exchange behaviors online. Five knowledge boundary spanners and their common characteristics were identified.
    • Questionnaire survey – To investigate what learning behaviors foster student learning outcomes.
    • Pre- and post-Moodle experience survey – To measure the changes of student before and after the Moodle-facilitated activities.

Key Findings

  1. The BIM-facilitated QS method was found to be more efficient than the traditional one. However, its industrial implementation is still hindered by factors, such as project nature, organization competence, and the ecosystem of the entire industry.
  2. At individual level, students’ perceived learning outcomes were fostered by ‘workgroup support’, ‘online interaction’ and ‘lecturer support’.
  3. Knowledge boundary spanners played an important role in fostering collaborative online learning. They tended to have higher ‘expectancy on learning activities’, ‘attitude of knowledge sharing’ and ‘positive help seeking behavior’.
  4. In general, 67.5% of the students believed that the Moodle activities improved their learning; and students’ ‘class learning culture’, ‘learning attitude’ and ‘online interaction’ were significantly higher after the Moodle experience (sig.<0.05).

Principal Investigator

Dr. I.Y.S. Chan, Department of Real Estate and Construction, Faculty of Architecture Contact

Project level

Programme-level project

Project Completion

March 2016

Deliverables

  1. A formal project report
    The project report summarizes the findings of the project.
  2. A CPD seminar delivered by the PI
    The PI delivered a CPD seminar entitled “Construction innovation: A view from the lens of learning and culture” at the Hong Kong Institute of Engineers (HKIE) on 23rd March 2016. The seminar was attended by around 80 professionals from the architecture, engineering and construction sectors.
  3. A conference speech delivered by the PI
    The PI was invited by the Hong Kong Institute of Engineers (HKIE) to deliver a speech entitled “Fostering Innovation in Construction: An Empirical Study of 5D BIM Education” at the BS One Day Conference 2016 – ‘BIM and Sustainability Updates’ held on 15th April, 2016.  The Conference was attended by more than 250 participants from both the public and private sectors.