Enhancing Construction Engineering and Management Education Using a COnstruction INdustry Simulation (COINS)

Abstract

Simulations and learning games use technology to create real-world experiences to provide an opportunity to engage, enjoy, and learn. Many simulations have been designed to meet specific learning goals, i.e. sharing case studies to demonstrating very complex situations. Simulation and gaming is not new to higher education but in the past was done in a very narrow vein and because of the complexity and development time required to produce them. Most have not been robust enough to engage students. Managing construction involves being able to make decisions that involve balancing time, cost, quality, resources, and identifying and solving a variety of issues related to the selection of equipment, labor, and tools. The skills required of today's construction engineering and management professionals are a combination of management skills and technical knowledge. This paper describes the development and implementation of a COnstruction INdustry Simulation (COINS) designed and developed at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly) to prepare construction engineering and management students for the real world.