The virtual construction site: a web-based teaching/learning environment in construction technology

Site visits form an important component in teaching/learning in many aspects of civil engineering education. However, due to scheduling and access difficulties, and the overriding need for safety, real time site visits may not be possible, and alternative approaches need to be investigated. One approach, described in this paper, is the creation of multimedia databases of actual buildings under construction. This material, suitably structured, can then be delivered through the World Wide Web or from a CD-ROM, thus creating “virtual construction sites.” The web site described in this paper forms part of a much larger group of web sites developed by four Universities in Hong Kong over the past 2 years and now approaching completion. This large series of linked web sites is known as CIVCAL and provides a comprehensive teaching/learning environment for students in many aspects of civil engineering. This paper describes the web site being developed by City University within CIVCAL. The City University web site is known as the Virtual Building & Construction Environment and is designed specifically to support teaching/learning in building construction technology.