Project Based Learning with Implementation Planning for Student Engagement in BIM Classes

The Architecture, Construction, Engineering and Operation (ACEO) industries are in urgent need for students with the capabilities to successfully implement BIM projects with sound strategies. Educators notice that project-based learning (PBL) can help students to understand the practice and challenges of the industries. But few researches paid attention to implement the PBL approach that could cultivate the expected BIM competences using capstone and real-world projects. In order to respond the problem, this research proposes a process framework of BIM project execution planning (BIM-PEP) for capstone with the integration of PBL and real world project information, The BIM-PEP includes steps of implementation and team roles, learning schedule, response collection and evaluation criteria. This research uses case studies to collect data for the group and instructions responses of the framework implementation. The results indicate that the students are able to conduct the chosen BIM uses according to process mapping in the early phases of PBL following the procedure of BIM-PEP. The responses also show the strengths of BIM management and technology and point out the possible improvements such as flexible capstone schedule and early preparation. This research provides a novel method of process framework and a case study for BIM-PEP capstone, which embodies the knowledge body of BIM education and PBL pedagogy to enhance student competences of engineering education. It provides a sound foundation for the instruction of BIM education in university teaching.