Implementation of an industry-inspired undergraduate construction management project - A semester long feedback-based project

Samaneh Gholitabar

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Conference: 2023 Fall Mid Atlantic Conference: Meeting our students where they are and getting them where they need to be
Location: Ewing, New Jersey
Publication Date: October 27, 2023
Start Date: October 27, 2023
End Date: January 10, 2024
Page Count: 10
DOI: 10.18260/1-2--45123
Permanent URL: https://strategy.asee.org/45123
Download Count: 41

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Paper Authors

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Samaneh Gholitabar New York City College of Technology, City University of New York

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Dr. Gholitabar is an assistant professor in the Department of Construction Management and Civil Engineering Technology at New York City College of Technology of the City University of New York. Before this position, she worked as a project manager at STV Inc., where she led projects in the redevelopment of the LaGuardia Airport. Dr. Gholitabar holds a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering with a concentration in Construction Management, as well as a Master's degree in Geotechnical Engineering. Her research interests include construction safety, energy sustainability in construction, and pedagogical research. She is deeply passionate about providing students with real-world examples of construction and preparing them for successful careers in construction and Civil Engineering.

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Abstract

The design and implementation of an effective industry-inspired project for undergraduate students in construction management is described. The project has the potential to reflect the industry's needs. VALUE rubrics were followed for designing the project. VALUE rubrics for the project were carefully implemented during General Education Learning seminars for faculties at the New York City College of Technology (NYCCT). The specific indicators in the Value Rubric that the project assignment addresses are: Creative Thinking, Inquiry and Analysis, Integrative Learning, and Team collaboration. Moreover, this project is also designed per the requirements for writing-intensive (WI) courses at the City University of New York. Each department at City Tech is required to provide WI courses so that students can meet their graduation requirements. The project work range from decision-making to literature research to data analysis and writing. The assessment of the project includes: Developing a logical and consistent plan, Showing the related outcomes and ability to follow the priority order, Creating the wholes out of multiple parts by combining facts, theories, etc, Creativity that addresses previously less explored options, and Teamwork. During completion of this project, students will gain skills highly suitable for their later careers and it is an opportunity to prepare them for their professional responsibilities. This paper summarizes the key learnings from the implementation of the semester long feedback-based construction project. The main goals were to engage students in the subjects and help them develop their knowledge and understanding of the construction industry and its associated responsibilities. Overall, here are the main observations in students after completion of the project: 1- Increased students’ confidence for entering the industry. 2- Enriched students’ skill sets. 3- Increased effort, and professionalism. 5- Increased value of collaborations and Teamwork. Assessment of student evaluation showed that 94% of students agreed that the aforementioned project helped them understand the course material and subjects. In addition, the factors affecting students’ performances are discussed based on their progress in the semester-long WI project.

Citation
Format

Gholitabar, S. (2023, October), Implementation of an industry-inspired undergraduate construction management project - A semester long feedback-based project Paper presented at 2023 Fall Mid Atlantic Conference: Meeting our students where they are and getting them where they need to be, Ewing, New Jersey. 10.18260/1-2--45123

TY - CPAPER
AB - The design and implementation of an effective industry-inspired project for undergraduate students in construction management is described. The project has the potential to reflect the industry&#39;s needs. VALUE rubrics were followed for designing the project. VALUE rubrics for the project were carefully implemented during General Education Learning seminars for faculties at the New York City College of Technology (NYCCT). The specific indicators in the Value Rubric that the project assignment addresses are: Creative Thinking, Inquiry and Analysis, Integrative Learning, and Team collaboration. Moreover, this project is also designed per the requirements for writing-intensive (WI) courses at the City University of New York. Each department at City Tech is required to provide WI courses so that students can meet their graduation requirements. The project work range from decision-making to literature research to data analysis and writing. The assessment of the project includes: Developing a logical and consistent plan, Showing the related outcomes and ability to follow the priority order, Creating the wholes out of multiple parts by combining facts, theories, etc, Creativity that addresses previously less explored options, and Teamwork.
During completion of this project, students will gain skills highly suitable for their later careers and it is an opportunity to prepare them for their professional responsibilities. This paper summarizes the key learnings from the implementation of the semester long feedback-based construction project. The main goals were to engage students in the subjects and help them develop their knowledge and understanding of the construction industry and its associated responsibilities. Overall, here are the main observations in students after completion of the project: 1- Increased students’ confidence for entering the industry. 2- Enriched students’ skill sets. 3- Increased effort, and professionalism. 5- Increased value of collaborations and Teamwork. Assessment of student evaluation showed that 94% of students agreed that the aforementioned project helped them understand the course material and subjects.
In addition, the factors affecting students’ performances are discussed based on their progress in the semester-long WI project.
AU - Samaneh Gholitabar
CY - Ewing, New Jersey
DA - 2023/10/27
PB - ASEE Conferences
TI - Implementation of an industry-inspired undergraduate construction management project - A semester long feedback-based project
UR - https://strategy.asee.org/45123
DO - 10.18260/1-2--45123
ER -