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Construction Management students need instruction that reflects current industry research as well as working best practices.
My teaching philosophy can be summarized in three parts:
(1) Ties to industry practice and professionalism
I work to remain current in technology and best practices, give students the best possible experience, and to actively connect them to concepts of ethical and professional practice through the following:
- Network expansion
- Mentoring
- Training and industry research
I maintain professional and educational networks in Architecture, Construction, and Engineering communities. These networks are useful for curriculum development as well as student career and higher education pathways. Tangential networks also produce interesting opportunities. For example, my interest in the arts translated to NEH grant work and a Capstone project experience for students at the Metropolitan Opera House including access to their facilities. My work for GallopNYC resulted in a Capstone project experience, student volunteer opportunities, and my acceptance for presentation at the United Nations. I get regular training from organizations such as AGC, AIA, Autodesk, DBIA, and Procore. Students are regularly exposed to local industry, engaging ethical discussions, and modelled professional practice.
(2) Lifelong faculty research and training
My commitment to personal continuous improvement as an academic, industry subject-matter expert, and classroom lecturer is currently served through research and training in the following areas:
- Capture and manipulation of 3D laser scanning and photogrammetry
- Cloud-based design coordination
- Construction and design software packages
- Construction industry best practices & legal/risk issues
- Sustainability and resilience.
My research and analysis skills have expanded through study under the Rinker Fellowship. Specifically I have gained proficiency in ArcGIS (Mapping and data analysis platform), BIM 360 (cloud-based design coordination platform), Recap (Autodesk reality capture and 3D scanning software), Revit 3D (Autodesk 3D modeling software), Solar Pathfinder (solar resource mapping tool), Synchro (4D design and construction visualization software), and Unity (game engine integrating models, programming, virtual reality simulations). My now maturing research platform centers on construction technique, storm resilience, and HBIM analysis. Students benefit from this development as I continuously update classroom materials to reflect technology and practice.
(3) Instructional best practice
My goals for instructional best practice have been constant: update the CM curriculum, increase its benefit to graduates, and bring it closer in line with other similar programs. My efforts include:
- Curriculum overhaul
- College/University/safety compliance training
- Pedagogy and metacognition training
I have addressed curriculum goals through a variety of grant and fellowship-funded projects, industry input, and department coordination. Results have included a fully overhauled and streamlined CM series, a new project management series for Civil Engineering students, and a total overhaul of the Senior Capstone experience. Additionally, I participate in faculty training on compliance, safety, and content delivery as well as instructional best practices, metacognition, writing, grading, and others. This attention to effective teaching is reflected in my routinely excellent student and supervisor evaluations.
