Computer Simulation for Construction Education Using the Structure-Behavior-Function Theory: A Pilot Study on Learning Estimating Concepts

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

4-3-2017

Abstract

A computer simulation based on the structure-behavior-function (SBF) theory is developed and tested to study its impact on teaching construction estimating. While students eventually excel at estimating, grasping basic estimating concepts often presents a challenge to many students when they start learning estimating. It requires students to have a solid understanding about the relationship between actual construction and a typical estimating process to derive a good estimate. A computer simulation of a simple construction estimating process presents an opportunity for students to meet the challenge. One hundred and nine junior year students in a construction management department at a major state university in the southeastern United States participated in the study. The experimental group had sixty students using the simulation; while the control group had forty-nine students without using the simulation. The results showed that the simulation significantly improved students in learning both estimating concepts and processes (p =.05) and a significant portion (90%) of students felt that the simulation was helpful in learning estimating, but inconsistencies exist. The authors also identified and discussed limitations related to the findings.

Publication Source (Journal or Book title)

International Journal of Construction Education and Research

First Page

142

Last Page

160

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