A Peer Review System for BIM Learning

Abstract

This research proposed a peer review system for the instruction of building information modeling (BIM). With the rapid growth of BIM technology, 3D modeling has become an essential skill for civil engineers. However, it is difficult for an engineer to gain 3D modeling skills through conventional lecture-based learning. The peer review approach has been recently introduced as an educational method and is widely utilized to promote learners’ active learning that is hard to teach using conventional approaches; however, no peer review system has been developed thus far for teaching 3D modeling. Therefore, this research developed a peer review system for 3D modeling courses and proposed guidelines for developing a peer review-based BIM course. Additionally, this study developed a web-based reviewing system, which allows the learner to review others’ works online. The system was implemented in an undergrad-level course for validation. The results revealed that using the peer review system for 3D modeling instruction can help learners to gain more detailed skills; it also allows learners to learn from others’ works. The system can also help the instructor to identify potential mistakes that the students may make while constructing the BIM model and to make continuous improvements for future courses.