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Teaching the Next Generation (AEC in Focus Column)
1 Aug, 2007 By: AIA ,H. Edward GoldbergIndustry helps universities, colleges, and schools teach students how to leverage the power of CAD software.
A generation is considered 20 years; therefore, a generation of professionals has grown up during the first AEC/O (architect, engineer, construction, and operations) electronic revolution. During this period, electronic drafting generally replaced hand drafting, but the professional-to-drafter relationship stayed the same. In most cases, education was done on the job or was handled by community colleges and reseller networks.
With the development of the building information model, we're going through a new digital revolution. This revolution is much more sophisticated than the previous one and will require more sophisticated education. We may even see a new category of professionals with such titles as virtual architect/engineer, digital contractor, and master building information modeling (BIM) manager. Although not totally altruistically and knowing that education is key to the success of the building information model, the four main players in the AEC/O digital design industry (Autodesk, Bentley Systems, Graphisoft, and Nemetschek North America) have reached out to the educational community.
Autodesk
www.autodesk.com
For the K–12 level, Autodesk has several academic applications that package the latest BIM software such as Revit with project-based curricula that allows teachers to deliver relevant, engaging, and motivating instruction in the classroom. Auto-desk's academic software for middle school students is called DesignKids. The company's high school software is called Design Academy. For more information about both programs and to read case studies, visit www.autodesk.com/education
To support postsecondary education, Autodesk created its online Student Engineering and Design Community at www.students.autodesk.com (figure 1). This online portal offers students free access to the latest 3D modeling software such as Revit and Civil 3D. The site also serves as a resource for educators who want to network with one another around the world to share best practices and learning modules.
 Figure 1. To support postsecondary education, Autodesk created its online Student Engineering and Design Community. |
Autodesk also partners with educators at prominent architecture schools to support the next generation of architects and designers. Here is a sampling of what several schools are doing in the studio:
Cornell University. The College of Architecture, Art, and Planning teaches Revit Architecture in some sections.
New Jersey Institute of Technology. The school uses Autodesk products such as Revit Architecture, AutoCAD Architecture, VIZ, and 3ds Max. (It's one of Autodesk's biggest 3ds Max education customers.) It hopes to expand its use of Revit Architecture and Revit Structure, particularly in its comprehensive studio, and it currently teaches Revit Building as a component of its upper-level studio.
Cosumnes River College. Terry Kirkham, a professor of architectural design technology, has integrated Revit into the college's Architecture Design Technology classes. He teaches two classes using Revit Architecture, one at the beginner level and the second at an intermediate level. Kirkham addresses the difference between CAD and BIM as students explore how to design restaurants, cabins, residential houses, and medical facilities.
Yale University. For the first time, Yale is teaching Revit Building in its Advanced Design Studios. During the second semester, students design and build a house in AutoCAD for drafting then transition to Revit Building.
University of California, Berkeley. Berkeley conducted a BIM studio with Autodesk in the summer of 2006 and will hold another series of BIM studios this summer. The university currently teaches Revit Building to students in its design labs and is participating in an Autodesk video production that illustrates the integration of BIM into their curricula and the barriers that educators face.
Carnegie Mellon University. The school teaches a course in Revit Building. Students are incorporating Revit Building into their studio projects.
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About the Author: H. Edward Goldberg
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