Toward next-generation engineering education: A case study of an engineering capstone project based on BIM technology in MEP systems

Data Availability Statement: The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

Supporting Information is available online at: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/action/downloadSupplement?doi=10.1002%2Fcae.22448&file=cae22448-sup-0001-Appendices.docx .

To respond to the digital building environment and Industry 4.0 in building information modeling (BIM)-based mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) systems this study developed a new approach to engineering capstone projects. This article reports on a case study of the development of the innovative capstone project for engineering majors, which is based on team-based learning (TBL) combined with the 360-degree evaluation feedback method to cultivate students' BIM competency. The data collection and analysis involves a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods, which aims to evaluate students' learning outcomes and their BIM competency. The results indicate that TBL, combined with the 360-degree evaluation feedback in the capstone project, can be highly effective in improving graduates' BIM competency. This study discusses the interoperability of BIM software tools, problems in the process of data exchange, and provides suggestions for improving the course and BIM team collaboration. The research has identified how professional capabilities for students can be enhanced, enabled through a capstone project, and educators are able to deploy the BIM course to develop engineers that closely meet industry needs. The study provides the case for using the capstone project to improve and cultivate engineering students' BIM competency in MEP systems. This study has provided a new paradigm for applying TBL and 360-degree evaluation feedback to engineering education.

2020 UK-China-BRI (Vietnam/Indonesia) Education Partnership Initiative; Emerging Engineering Education Research and Practice Project of Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China. Grant Number: E-GKRWJC20202914; Shanxi Province Higher Education Teaching Reform Project. Grant Number: 19BZ016; National Social Science Fund projects. Grant Number: 20BJY010; National Social Science Fund Post-financing projects. Grant Number: 19FJYB017; Education Funding of Master of Engineering Management in China. Grant Number: 2017-ZX-004; Shaanxi Social Science Fund. Grant Number: 2017S004; List of Key Science and Technology Projects in China's Transportation Industry in 2018-International Science and Technology Cooperation Project. Grant Numbers: 2018-GH-006, 2019-MS5-100; Special Fund for Graduate Student Education Reform of Central College, Chang'an University. Grant Numbers: 300103190943, 300103187091, 300103190413, 300103190018, 300103302301, 300111002005, 310628161406; Fundamental Research for Education Reform of Central College, Chang'an University. Grant Numbers: 300103292806, 300104292305, 300104292304, 300104292308, 300104282301, 300104282318, 300104282323, 310623172904, 310623171003, 310623171633; Fundamental Research for Funds for the Central Universities (Humanities and Social Sciences), Chang'an University. Grant Numbers: 300102231641, 300102230612, 300102281669.