Learning Environment Using BIM and Smart Phone

Pavan MEADATI Construction Management Department, Southern Polytechnic State University Marietta, Georgia 30060, USA

Mahmoodha JAGABAR SATHICK Computer Science Department, Southern Polytechnic State University Marietta, Georgia 30060, USA

Brandi WILLIAMS Construction Management Department, Southern Polytechnic State University Marietta, Georgia 30060, USA

and

Charner REGISTER Construction Management Department, Southern Polytechnic State University Marietta, Georgia 30060, USA

ABSTRACT meeting the class needs, class schedule conflicts, and safety issues [2]. Through lecture mode teaching style, instructor faces This paper discusses about integration of Building Information a challenging task to engage smartphone savvy students and Model (BIM) and Quick Response (QR) code technology for involve them in active learning process. Some other challenges creating smart learning lab for students. Due to lack of include less interaction and personalized contact time between conducive learning environment currently construction students and instructors; and students who miss class or who management and engineering students are unable to gain the need extra review get left behind. Additionally, differences in required skills to solve the real world problems. A user friendly teaching and learning styles result in problems such as interactive knowledge repository that provides conducive disengagement of students and loss of learning aptitude. learning environment is needed to enhance students’ learning Therefore a learning environment which helps the instructor to capabilities. BIM serves as an excellent tool for data match the students learning styles and enhances their management. Accessing the information using BIM is a two- engagement and learning capabilities is required. Sometimes step process. The first step includes the identification and traditional lecture teaching style also falls short to serve as selection of the appropriate three dimensional (3D) element effective communication tool for transferring knowledge to from the digital model and second step includes the retrieval of students. Due to lack of conducive learning environment which the information. Currently, the first step is accomplished by provides hearing, seeing, and doing capabilities, currently CEM navigating the 3D model manually. This step becomes tedious students are unable to gain the required skills to solve the real depending upon the size and complexity of the model. This world problems. A user friendly interactive knowledge identification and selection process can be automated by repository that provides conducive learning environment is integrating QR code technology with BIM. The integrated BIM needed to enhance students’ learning capabilities. and QR code environment provides a seamless flow of information reducing manual errors and improves information Building Information Model (BIM) has the potential to foster retrieval efficiency. This environment fosters conducive auditory, visual and kinesthetic learning environments [6]. BIM learning environment and allow the students to discover serves as an excellent tool for data management. It facilities strengths and weaknesses of their learning practices and easy and fast access to the information stored in a single improve accordingly. centralized or in different held at various locations through the three dimensional (3D) model. Some of Keywords: BIM, QR code, 3D, smart phone and learning the BIM characteristics such as easy access to the information, environment. visualization, and simulation capabilities provide auditory, visual, and kinesthetic learning environments. Accessing the information using BIM is a two-step process. The first step 1. INTRODUCTION includes the identification and selection of the appropriate 3D element from the digital model and second step includes the Students have different learning styles. Teaching by adapting to retrieval of the information. Currently, the first step is their individual styles is a challenging task. Traditional lecture accomplished by navigating the model manually. This step is one of the styles which is widely used for teaching becomes tedious depending upon the size and complexity of the construction engineering and management (CEM) courses. model. Additionally manual errors in element’s selection Sometimes, the lecture format style is complimented by negatively affect the information retrieval process. Due to this including construction site visits. This teaching style provides manual selection process, the effectiveness of BIM is an auditory and visual learning environment. However, compromised and is not being used as an effective learning tool. inclusion of site visits within the course schedule is not always This identification and selection process can be automated by feasible due reasons such as unavailability of construction sites integrating Quick Response (QR) code technology with BIM. The goal of the study is to develop BIM+QR learning associated with predefined parameters and these are categorized environment that promotes conducive learning environment. into type parameters and instance parameters. The type BIM+QR environment provides a seamless flow of information parameters control properties of elements of that type while the reduces manual errors and improves information retrieval instance parameters control the instances properties. The type efficiency. In this environment, when the user reads the QR and instance parameters are further categorized into different code through smart phone, the respective 3D element will be groups. The data format stored in each parameter is of type: highlighted in BIM automatically and provides access to text, integer, number, length, area, volume, angle, URL, retrieve the information. BIM+QR environment enhances material, and yes/no. In this project, since the predefined type or students’ engagement and allow them to discover strengths and instance parameters are inadequate, new parameters with URL weaknesses of their learning practices and improve accordingly. data format are added to the elements. The study will be conducted in two phases. The first phase focuses on the development of interactive knowledge repository Object Hyperlinking through BIM+QR environment. The second phase focuses on The process of extending the to real world objects is the use of the BIM+QR environment in teaching. This is a part called object hyperlinking [8]. This can be achieved by of a research project, which is in progress. The paper presents attaching tag with URL to the real world object. The QR code an overview of the steps involved in the first phase of the with URL can be used as a tag. QR code stands for Quick research. The second phase scope is not included in this paper. Response Code. It was invented by Denso Wave in 1994 [9]. It The following sections discuss about BIM+QR environment is a two dimensional bar code. It can be read by using components and automated information flow among them. smartphone or touch pad or computer camera. QR code is used to store text, URL, and contact information. When the user reads the QR code depending upon the type of information 2. BIM+QR LEARNING ENVIRONMENT stored, it may display text, opens URL, and saves the contact information to address book. QR codes are now used for wide A learning environment which promotes active learning is range of applications such as commercial tracking, product needed to enhance students’ learning capabilities. An interactive marketing, product labeling, and storing organizational and learning environment termed as Building Information Model personal information. QR code can be static or dynamic [5]. In and Quick Response (BIM+QR) environment which facilitates static QR code the initially created information cannot be students to use their smart phone for learning is developed by changed, whereas in dynamic QR code the information can be integrating Building Information Model (BIM) and Quick edited after creating the code. With the advent of smart phones Response (QR) code technology. This new teaching style QR codes became popular as each smartphone can read the QR which encourages usage of smart phones in the classroom code with appropriate QR reader app. An object hyperlinking increases the students’ engagement and also helps to focus on system involves four components shown in the Figure 1. QR learning. BIM+QR environment facilitates more interaction and code tagged Object: QR code with URL is tagged to the object; personalized contact time between students and instructors. It Smartphone: Smartphone which has means to read the QR code also forces students to take more responsibility for their own and display the information; learning. Since the entire course contents are posted on web, Open Wireless network: An open wireless network such as students who miss class or who need extra review don't get left or 4G network for communication between the smartphone and behind. It provides dynamic learning environment by server containing the information linked to tagged object; synchronizing with the user input. The different components of Server: A server to store the information related to the real BIM+QR environment includes: BIM knowledge repository, world object. Object hyperlinking, and Interactive display unit. Object BIM Knowledge Repository tagged with Smartphone This section discusses the methodology adopted for the QR code development of a knowledge repository through BIM. The two steps in the development process include: (a) three dimensional (3D) model development and (b) integration of information to the 3D model elements. The ease of integration depends on the availability and type of parameters in the BIM software [3]. The information associated with the 3D model elements can be retrieved through parameters of the elements. These parameters establish the links between respective files and elements in digital format. The information needed was collected through paper format and digital format from various sources. Since BIM needs the information in digital format, the paper-based Server Wireless information was converted into digital format (PDF files) by Network scanning. Autodesk’s Revit software was used for developing the BIM knowledge repository. Information used to develop the knowledge repository can be classified as semi structured data files (HTML and XML files), unstructured data files (MS Word or plain text files), and unstructured multimedia files (photographs, audio, and video files) [1]. The steps involved in the integration of information with the 3D model element Figure 1: Components of hyperlinking system include creation of new parameters and association of information to these parameters. In Revit, each element is Interactive Display System The display system can be desktop display unit, large format 3. PILOT STUDY unit, or smart device display unit. Desktop display unit includes monitor and can be made interactive by using mouse and A pilot study has been conducted to demonstrate the feasibility keyboard. Large format display unit includes non-interactive of BIM+QR learning environment. The study has been screen or interactive screen and projector. The non-interactive conducted at Construction Management Department of screen can be made interactive by using mouse and keyboard. Southern Polytechnic State University. The objective of the An interactive screen includes touch sensitive interactive study is to learn about the different prototype demonstration whiteboard units. Smart device display unit devices include units setup in the lab using integrated BIM+QR environment. touchpad or tablet or smartphone screen. The above proposed integrated BIM+QR environment framework was developed by using QR codes and Autodesk’s Information Exchange in BIM + QR Environment Revit Architecture 2014. For this study a large format display The different components of an integrated BIM+QR system is used over desktop display unit, since the previous Environment include real world object tagged with QR code, studies showed an improved performance of the students when BIM knowledge repository, and display unit. An automated former is used compared to later [4]. The study includes four flow of information among different components of the steps: (1) prototype demonstration units’ hyperlinking; (2) BIM BIM+QR environment is shown in Figure 2. Smartphone scans knowledge repository development, and (3) interactive display the QR code of the real world object. When the scanning is unit set up and (4) automation of information flow. Overview of completed a web page is displayed and prompts the user to click these steps is presented below. the image. Once the image is clicked, an identification code of the element of the 3D digital model is stored in a text file on Prototype Demonstration Units’ Hyperlinking server and the user is prompted to go to the interactive display In this step, webpages as shown in Figure 3a for each unit. Based on the text file data, the BIM knowledge repository demonstration unit in the lab are developed using html (Figure. is searched and the results are reflected on the display unit, These pages are hosted on a server. Various static QR codes through 3D model by highlighting the corresponding 3D digital with URL for different demonstration units in the lab are element of the real world object. This element will in turn created. These QR codes are tagged to the physical objects in facilitate to query the required information from the BIM the lab as shown in Figure 3b. knowledge repository.

Real World

Object

QR Code Server

url Smartphone web page (a) Demo unit webpage (b) Demo unit tagged asp with QR code

text file Figure 3: Hyperlinking real world object

BIM Knowledge Repository Development BIM knowledge repository of the lab was developed using C# Revit Architecture 2014. The steps included for the repository Application development process were 3D model development, creation of new parameters and association of the information. A 3D model of the lab was developed using existing families and creating new families as shown in Figure 4. Parameters such as 3D Model Description, Operation manual, Quick Start Video and Lab Exercise were added to the different elements of the 3D model. These parameters were made to appear under the group name Information ‘Other’ in the type parameters list. The URL data format was Database used for each parameter. This format is useful to establish the link between the respective files and component. The BIM association of information to the model elements was Knowledge accomplished by assigning the file paths of the information to Repository the parameters. This link between the documents through the path stored in the parameter allows easy access to the required information. Figure 2: Automated information flow in BIM+QR environment

other two smart board display units. The interactive smart board screen facilitates user friendly access to the required information. Figure 6, shows the steps followed by the student to access the information using the BIM+QR environment.

Object tagged with QR code Display Unit

Figure 4: 3D Lab Model Step-1: User Step-4: 3D element got scans the object highlighted and user Interactive Display System accessing the information The interactive display system shown in Figure 5 is used for this study. It consists of three SMART Board 600i2 interactive whiteboard units. Each unit is equipped with interactive white User Screen board and SMART Unifi 45 wall mounted short throw projector. Each unit interacts with host computer through USB interface [7]. The whiteboard has durable hard coated polyester touch sensitive surface. These three units interact through single host computer connected to the server through the Ethernet port. This display system is used for this study, since the previous studies showed an improved performance of the students when large format interactive display system is used as compared to desktop display unit [4].

Step-3: User prompted to click “ok”

Step-2: User prompted to click the image 1 2 3

Figure 6: Student interacting in an integrated BIM+QR environment

Figure 5: SMART Board Interactive Display System 4. CONCLUSION Automation of Information flow In this step, the communication among real world object, server BIM+QR environment automates the element identification and and BIM knowledge repository was established. The tagged real selection process in BIM. The BIM and QR code integration world object establishes communication with the server through provides a seamless flow of information between real world the smartphone using the wireless network. When user scans objects and BIM elements. This automation reduces the the QR code an html webpage opens and prompts the user to identification and selection time, and reduces manual errors. click the image. Once the user clicks, an event is triggered to BIM+QR environment fosters conducive learning environment store the identification code of the element in a text file on and allow the students to discover strengths and weaknesses of server. This data storage was triggered by using asp file. The their learning practices and improve accordingly. This communication between Revit Architecture and server was environment increases the student engagement. As the number established by using Revit APIs through C# programming of smart phone users is on rise, BIM+QR environment has the language. Once the communication is established the data from potential to make a paradigm shift in teaching and learning. The text file is retrieved and corresponding 3D element gets selected methodology discussed in this paper serves as an initial step to and highlighted on the one of the interactive smart board develop an integrated BIM+QR environment for effective display units. This element will in turn facilitate to query the teaching and learning applications. required information from the BIM knowledge repository and the user has option to rearrange the information windows on 5. REFERENCES

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