Assessing an Online Tool to Promote Sustainability Competencies in Construction Engineering Education

Abstract

Sustainability is an important component of engineering design and construction; however, recent research has shown that engineering education remains inefficient in teaching students basic principles of sustainable development. This research documents 2 years of using an online tool to promote learning of sustainability principles in construction education. Autodesk’s Building Performance Analysis (BPA) online modules were assigned in a sustainable construction class. Over the course of two semesters, students were required to complete tutorials and earn the BPA Certificate. Student feedback and assessments were collected after each module, as well as after final group presentations. Autodesk has stated that BPA online coursework “provides a high-level understanding of the issues involved in sustainable, high-performance building design.” Overall, students concurred that the modules enhanced their learning experience both in regard to specific course material and sustainable building principles, which include topics related to energy, climate, solar, wind, daylight, and whole building analysis. Specifically, findings suggest that the online training material enhanced sustainable competencies in both systems thinking and change-agents skills. Opinions regarding the effectiveness of BPA training and delivery were compared to those of students who completed another online training to earn Procore’s Fundamentals Certificate. The comparison suggests that Autodesk’s BPA has more impact on student learning outcomes than Procore’s program. However, students reported that they are more likely to use Procore’s project management concepts and software in industry.