Overview

The primary aim of this OLT Innovation and Development Grant is to address the problems associated with the provision of a realistic practical and interdisciplinary experience for students in construction related professional disciplines. The key objective is to develop an interactive interdisciplinary learning environment that will address this issue using time-lapse digital images of a live construction project.

This project builds on an existing ALTC funded 3-dimensional learning environment developed by Professor Ian Cameron and others (Cameron et al. 2009). This project also utilises digital photographic surveys of the construction of the University of Queensland’s (UQ) Advanced Engineering Building (AEB) undertaken through a University Teaching and Learning Strategic Grant.

Intended outcomes

• A 4-dimensional digital learning environment that captures construction of the University of Queensland’s (UQ) Advanced Engineering Building (AEB) over time.
• Enhancement of that learning environment through the embedding of construction documentation (digital drawings), contract administration items (minutes of meetings, requests for information, architects instructions, contract sum adjustments, adjustments of time) and interviews with key personnel across the construction professions.
• The design of innovative cross-disciplinary curriculum and integrated problem-based learning activities that enhance the student learning experience through the realistic simulation of workplace learning.
• The iterative evaluation of the impact on learning outcomes for construction industry students to allow progressive adjustment the learning environment.
• The iterative evaluation of the impact on teaching practice for academic staff to allow progressive adjustment of the learning environment.
• A sound technical, pedagogical and professional integrated foundation for a future library of construction projects.

Cameron, I, Crosthwaite, C, Shallcross D, Kavanagh, J, Barton, G, Maynard, N, Tade, M, Hoadley, A (2009) Development, Deployment and Educational Assessment of Advanced Immersive Learning Environments for Process Engineering. Strawberry Hills: ALTC.