The Impact of New Surveying Instruments on the Construction Surveying Course of Study

Construction Surveying has been highly affected by advances in technology. Technological development has led to new surveying instruments being produced at fairly regular intervals for the construction industry. The new instruments offer many advantages including accuracy, productivity and interconnectivity. Owing to the advantages offered by the instruments, many construction companies readily adopt the use of these instruments in their businesses. Trends in the manufacture of new construction surveying instruments are presented. A study using a questionnaire was done to establish how this developmental trend should be approached in teaching construction surveying to students in the Construction Management Technology programs. This paper also gives the results of the questionnaire sent to all 4-year degree awarding members of the Associated Schools of Construction (ASC), which are accredited by the American Council for Construction Education (ACCE). Fourteen schools responded. The finding of the study is that the schools favor the inclusion of the cutting edge “High Tech ” equipment in surveying in the teaching of the course so that students can be better prepared for the workplace. After the students have been taught the use of the basic surveying instruments, it is recommended that the use of the new surveying instruments and their applications in construction should be taught