A teaching and learning tool to assist students in the dynamic design and analysis of buildings and their internal environments

The problem based learning aspect of the undergraduate programme in theSchool of Construction and Property Management, the ‘PPP’ projects, did notwork as well as was hoped during the last academic session, the first year ofits introduction.It is felt that poor module results in semester 1 of this last academic year can,in part, be blamed on the PPP projects.Students today are very much more PC and IT literate than their counterpartsof only say 5 years ago. The huge increase in Internet usage and interactivegameplay is surely a contributionary factor in this. Students enjoy using IT,both during leisure and their studies.This bid aims to develop in students an enthusiasm for working with othersand team building by developing ‘real world’ projects with a strong IT link andincorporating the projects within a 3-D building modelling and simulationsoftware tool. Working as teams, students will investigate case studybuildings, determine why they are ‘under performing’ and, by carrying outinteractive real time ‘what if’ scenarios, formulate solutions.The project aims to enhance student employability and key skills whilstdeveloping the use of IT in Learning and Teaching, thus satisfying two of thethree items within the University’s Strategic Framework identified within theTLQIS