Use of BIM for Effective Visualization Teaching Approach in Construction Education

This paper presents the effectiveness of building information modeling (BIM) as an integrated learning tool in construction education. A BIM-based teaching approach was designed and used to teach a construction management course offered at California State University, Long Beach, CA. The approach first begins with an understanding of the physical models for residential buildings. Two-dimensional (2D) drawings are then generated on the basis of the physical models using traditional computer-aided design (CAD) programs. A three-dimensional (3D) BIM model is finally developed to better understand the buildings in detail and to accurately take off the material quantities. The effectiveness of the proposed approach is evaluated by using an assessment rubric for both the understanding of construction details and the ability to take off the material quantities. The evaluation results indicate that the approach helps students to effectively learn the construction details and material quantity take-offs.