NSF Workshop
Next Generation Learning-Centered Environment for
Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) Education
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WELCOME TO OUR PROGRAM
The Next Generation Learning-Centered Environment for Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) Education is a collaborative NSF-funded project with a study number of 2131887. The goal of this project is to create a shared vision of the next generation learning-centered environment for AEC education, which requires a systematic understanding of the relationship between humans, learning, and technology in varied social contexts. The perspective of the AEC industries is an integral part of the vision. For that reason, this project has designed two series of workshops to collect expert opinion on various aspects of AEC education from an industry perspective, such as industry’s expectation about future AEC education, parameters to measure student’s success in the industries, and mechanisms to better integrate industry needs with the undergraduate curricula of the nation’s AEC programs.The four main thopics of this project are: 
- AEC Curricula and Industry Practice: The human-technology frontier in AEC workplaces is changing in many fundamental aspects, particularly in these unprecedented times of a global health pandemic. Thus, it is important to answer questions that are critical to shaping the future of AEC education, e.g., what are the gaps between AEC curricula and industry practice, and what is the role of emerging technologies in creating and/or closing these gaps?
- Interdisciplinary Education: Multidisciplinary teamwork and communication are essential skills for AEC students. Opportunities offered by emerging technologies have not been fully explored, such as new pedagogical strategies to deliver interdisciplinary learning content that is conducive to multiple disciplines.
- Technology and Learning: Technology-mediated learning, including technology-generated artifacts, such as 3D design models or construction site images, affect learning. Fundamental questions will be explored related to how emerging technologies, coupled with advancements in cognitive and education sciences, form disruptive forces to improve the learning environment.
- Digital Inequity: The AEC education communities have widely embraced the use of computer technologies in both in-person and online learning. Thus, it is important to understand the extent and influence of digital inequity while creating technology-intensive learning environments, and address grand challenges by developing new pedagogical strategies.
We welcome faculty members in AEC or education disciplines, professionals in the AEC industries and related information technology industry sectors, and members of professional societies related to AEC to participate in our program. In particular, applicants from community colleges and non-R1 and Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) are welcome to participate.
Please contact the organizing committee with any inquiries or questions.