New civil engineer: Introducing undergraduate civil engineers to construction technology

Abstract

Undergraduate (UG) civil engineering students should graduate from university with knowledge that links their computational competence in structural engineering and mechanics to construction technology principles, processes and practice. However, there appears to be a paucity of evidence to suggest that UG civil engineering students receive sufficient instruction in construction technology throughout their degree studies. This paper presents evidence from a study employing the weekly New Civil Engineer (NCE) publication as a vehicle for introducing construction technology to first year students. The results reveal that students found this publication interesting and inspirational. Whilst this innovative approach to teaching construction technology would be best 'blended' throughout the UG course, its introduction, application and success arguably requires a multi-disciplinary and carefully 'engineered' approach. Given the diversity of academic staff, individual motivation and the professional demands of a contemporary mass higher education system, the prospective benefits from 'blended' learning in UG construction technology studies will in all probability remain unfulfilled. © 2014 J. Davies, The Higher Education Academy.