Narrowing the expectation gap of construction information technologies between academic preparation and industrial needs

Abstract

As university educators teaching in construction techniques and information technologies (ITs), it is our responsibility to ensure that construction schools share a vision with potential employers of our graduates on what construction IT knowledge and skills are required in the near future. Specifically, construction schools need to address such issues in designing curricula for construction related teaching programs. A survey conducted in Hong Kong that sought to investigate the perceived expectation gap of construction IT skills/knowledge between academic preparation and industrial needs is presented. The results of the survey are analyzed and examined to reveal the deficiencies of current construction IT education in Hong Kong. Recommendations for improving the quality of construction IT teaching are proposed. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Comput Appl Eng Educ 7: 244–251, 1999