Evaluating Construction Education Interventions

Abstract

AbstractThe evaluation of engineering education interventions is important to gauge their impact and whether they achieve their intended objectives. Building Information Modelling (BIM) educational interventions are increasingly common at universities globally and their implementation is often accompanied by ad hoc evaluation practices and sometimes little evaluation at all. The aim of this study was to investigate existing evaluation practices among engineering educators, in particular technology mediated interventions and determine an appropriate evaluation methodology for BIM for Construction Education (BfCE) pilot initiatives. Academic articles and educational (non-research) guidance literature were reviewed to identify existing evaluation models. In addition, reported cases of BfCE were reviewed to identify specific approaches that have been applied to evaluate such initiatives. The study found that the use of evaluation models in engineering education is low. In addition, little evidence of the use of evaluation models in relation to BIM education interventions was found indicating a need to increase awareness among engineering educators on the importance of evaluation in promoting engineering education. An evaluation framework was derived to support engineering educators to more effectively evaluate their BfCE interventions.KeywordsEducational evaluationBuilding Information Modelling (BIM)BIM educationEvaluationAssessmentConstruction education