4D Construction Learning Environment

In-class experience of the AEB 4D Construction Learning Environment

AEB site preparation

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John Smolders

Pedagogical intent

The AEB 4D Construction Learning Environment is an online representation of a low-level multistorey campus building, the Advanced Engineering Building (AEB), under construction from beginning to end. The software provides a progress time line and graphical viewpoints at differing points on the construction site.

A large proportion of students undertaking ARBE1101 – Construction Technology 1 have not seen the construction process or been on a construction site. The software gave the students an opportunity to experience a virtual ‘site visit’, which gave them a realistic representation of the different aspects associated with a project.

Application of 4D learning environment

This was an informal trial, conducted with ARBE1101 – Construction Technology 1 students during Semester 1, 2015, to test the usability and potential learning and teaching benefits of the AEB 4D learning environment.

Learning activity

The course structure follows the format of the National Construction Code Series 2015 (Volume Two: Building Code of Australia Class 1 and Class 10 Buildings) (residential buildings) over a series of weeks. The first week is taken up with site preparation, the second week examines excavation and soil types, the third week, steel reinforcement and concrete, and the fourth week, framing. Although this tool is more suitable for advanced classes in multistorey work, I still found it useful to demonstrate all the aspects mentioned previously, by alternating between screens while discussing theory using traditional PowerPoint® presentations.

Assessment item/s

No assessment items were directly linked to use of the 4D learning environment.

Student feedback

The evaluation questionnaires linked to the project research were not administered. The system was intuitive and easy to use.

Impact on teaching practice

As mentioned before, this subject is the first technology class that students experience and we focus on house construction. The software was adaptable for the early stages of the project but when it became repetitive, as most multistorey projects do, after the fourth class it became obsolete for these first-year students.

Technical limits

No comment on limits (which were not fully explored in this test) beyond the matter of linking the application content to course and student needs.

Conclusion and recommendations

Would I use it again? Yes.

No specific recommendations regarding the existing 4D environment.

I recognise this is a pilot project and has been designed with larger projects in mind. Perhaps, in future, consideration could be given to including a cottage as well as a high-rise tower.