Using Building Information Modelling to Foster Collaborative Learning

Historically, most undergraduate degree courses within built environment disciplines have predominantly delivered their programme content in “disciplinary silos” (Chapman, 2009), with minimal collaborative working between students on other built environment and construction related courses. Sayce & Clements (2010) outline, “the need for existing and future professionals to be equipped with the skills and understanding necessary to function effectively in interdisciplinary teams.” Therefore, a “silo based” approach to learning and teaching is far from ideal as it does not encourage collaborative working, thinking and problem solving, all of which are key skills that are expected of today’s graduates.The emergence of Building Information Modelling (BIM) has highlighted the need for greater collaboration and meant that those involved in the delivery of built environment related programmes have had to re-evaluate their learning and teaching methods to ensure students are being prepared for the built environment of the twenty-first century. This presentation will discuss how BIM has been used to address the issue of “silo based” learning and teaching at Ulster University, highlighting collaboration that has taken place between staff and students on the Architectural Technology and Management and Quantity Surveying and Commercial Management programmes. The presentation will provide a reflective account of a collaborative project that was undertaken between Year 2 students on both courses and how communication took place via an online common data environment. The presentation will outline the benefits of the project and provide evidence of impact, with other academics and student groups now becoming involved as a result of the success of this initial project. This session will be useful to those academics considering implementing similar collaborative learning practices within their subject areas and will focus on transferable elements of the project that may be adopted by staff regardless of discipline.