Xavier Papuraj, Senior Teacher – Building Information Modelling (BIM)
There has been a significant global focus on the adoption of building information modelling (BIM) to drive improvements from facility design to management throughout the lifecycle of a building project. There is substantial evidence to indicate that BIM is an emerging and ongoing building industry trend. BIM can be defined as the digital description of every detailed activity of a construction or engineering project. The adoption of BIM technologies results in the creation of an entire 3D model with inter-related and cross-referenced information.
The implementation of BIM on projects provides greater opportunity to analyse, improve and test designs against any number of project objectives and corresponding benefits realised by the supply chain, client and building operators. There are well established objectives often referred to as ‘dimensions’, such as building simulation (4D), cost analysis (5D) and using BIM for Facilities Management (6D). However, there are many more project objectives that may be relevant such as energy efficiency and sustainable design (ESD). As such, BIM is now beginning to gain momentum in Australia (Jacobi, J. PE 2011).
The Victorian construction technology strategy recognised the importance of BIM in driving productivity, improving building optimisation and improved asset management. In 2018, the Victorian State Government was concerned with the gap between industry needs and TAFE course outcomes. It wanted to address the emerging skill gaps and introduced the Workforce Training and Innovation Fund (WTIF) to deliver innovative strategies that improve training outcomes and increase the relevance of training to industry. Box Hill Institute identified a need to educate industry in the technological advances being made in building construction around the world, particularly in BIM and prefabricated construction. Two pilot courses were developed and successfully delivered to industry personnel on a trial basis. These government-approved courses are now being offered to address the emerging skill gaps.
The advanced diploma course in BIM aims to address the Victorian Government’s priority sector requirements for building construction technology in working with and applying modern building construction methods.
It is designed to provide building practitioners and paraprofessionals with the necessary knowledge and skills to use BIM project workflow processes and work with BIM compatible software platforms to facilitate project development.
It also provides the relevant skill sets to enable practitioners and paraprofessionals to work with and apply BIM across building projects. The course develops participants’ BIM technology skills without them needing to enrol in a full training qualification.
The WTIF allowed Box Hill Institute’s innovative proposal to be developed. With an incredible amount of time and effort, the steering group developed electronic resources, from the ground up to complement future BIM technology.
Box Hill Institute adopted a blended learning environment for its program and has created an interactive program with supported self-study and assessment. The integrated program provides online study materials and resources organised through a learning management system, and provides instructor-led, online sessions as the main form of teaching.
Box Hill Institute has developed 100% online learning resources offering flexible, accessible learning opportunities as part of a blended learning approach. Technical content and best practice course design were employed to ensure student outcomes are guaranteed. This includes a couple of 3D BIM models fully documented with architecture-structure-MEP services, which are hosted in a collaborative project management portal (Autodesk Construction Cloud) that students can access from anywhere at any time. Box Hill Institute has developed case scenarios and project-based learning tasks that encourage collaborative and integrated learning across a cohort of students. It has worked closely with industry partners such as Autodesk, RIB, Trimble, etc., to provide free access to BIM capable applications, i.e. Revit, Navisworks, Cost-x, Rhino, Enscape, Lumion, SketchUp, etc.
‘Project-based learning is a model that organizes learning around projects. Projects are complex tasks, based on challenging questions or problems, that involve students in design, problem solving, decision making, or investigative activities; give students the opportunity to work relatively autonomously over extended periods of time; and culminate in realistic products or presentation.’
Five criterion for effective project based learning (PBL):
BIM models and case scenarios available to students for their learning activities have the following attributes, which enhances and supports their knowledge propositions:
The subject areas covered in the course delivery has wide areas of coverage which are current and industry specific such as:
CODE | BUILDING INFORMATION MODELLING COURSES | DURATION | DATES 2021 TERM 3 | DATES 2022 TERM 1 |
22507VIC |
15 Months |
12 July |
7 February | |
22508VIC |
6 Months |
12 July |
7 February |
To find out more about Building Information Modelling, email us at bim@boxhill.edu.au or call 1300 818 147.