University of Ljubljana
Faculty of Civil and Geodetic Engineering
Institute of Civil Enegineering, Earthquake Engineering and Construction IT
Chair of Construction Informatics
Comparison of distance learning courses:
A/E/C Computer Integrated Global Teamwork Course & ITC Euromaster
Robert Klinc
[rklinc@itc.fgg.uni-lj.si]
CIB W78 2007 Maribor – 28. June 2007

Overview
□ Motivation
□ A/E/C Global Teamwork Course
□ ITC Euromaster
□ Comparison
□ Technical comparison
□ Questionnaire
□ Conclusions
□ Questions?
CIB W78 Maribor – 28. June 2007 Robert Klinc [rklinc@itc.fgg.uni-lj.si]

Motivation
□ Find similarities & differences
□ Get students’ impression on the courses:
□ What they think was good.
□ Which tools did they find useful.
□ Is there something they would change?
CIB W78 Maribor – 28. June 2007 Robert Klinc [rklinc@itc.fgg.uni-lj.si]

A/E/C Global Teamwork Course
□ Stanford University
□ Started in 1993
□ Project:
□ 4-5 teams
□ 6-8 team members
□ Team: architect + structural engineers + construction
managers + investor
□ Each team = personalized project: start  finish
CIB W78 Maribor – 28. June 2007 Robert Klinc [rklinc@itc.fgg.uni-lj.si]

ITC Euromaster
□ European Master in Construction IT
□ Consortium of nine universities
□ Started in 2004
□ Lectures on:
□ technological aspects
□ theoretical aspects
□ models (including their functionality)
□ processes (including their simulation)
CIB W78 Maribor – 28. June 2007 Robert Klinc [rklinc@itc.fgg.uni-lj.si]

Comparison
A/E/C Global T. ITC Euromaster
Audio +
Video
Application
sharing,
whiteboard
IM system
CIB W78 Maribor – 28. June 2007 Robert Klinc [rklinc@itc.fgg.uni-lj.si]

Comparison
A/E/C Global T. ITC Euromaster
“LMS” Think TankTM
Asynchronous
Think TankTM + +
communication
Asynchronous
lectures / RecallTM ---
sessions
CIB W78 Maribor – 28. June 2007 Robert Klinc [rklinc@itc.fgg.uni-lj.si]

ITC Euromaster
CIB W78 Maribor – 28. June 2007 Robert Klinc [rklinc@itc.fgg.uni-lj.si]

ITC Euromaster
CIB W78 Maribor – 28. June 2007 Robert Klinc [rklinc@itc.fgg.uni-lj.si]

A/E/C Global Teamwork Course
CIB W78 Maribor – 28. June 2007 Robert Klinc [rklinc@itc.fgg.uni-lj.si]

A/E/C Global Teamwork
+
Recall
CIB W78 Maribor – 28. June 2007 Robert Klinc [rklinc@itc.fgg.uni-lj.si]

Survey
□ Why?
□ impressions of communication technologies used
□ experiences and impressions of the course
□ impact of the course on the students
□  Webswey (www.scix.net)
□ Survey population:
□ Invited: 18
□ Responded: 15 (83%)
□ 8 – A/E/C Global Teamwork
□ 7 – ITC Euromaster
CIB W78 Maribor – 28. June 2007 Robert Klinc [rklinc@itc.fgg.uni-lj.si]

Average age
33
35
25
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
AEC Global Teamwork ITC Euromaster
CIB W78 Maribor – 28. June 2007 Robert Klinc [rklinc@itc.fgg.uni-lj.si]

Gender of the participants
80%
70% 75% 63%
60%
50%
40%
30% 27%
20%
25%
10% ITC Euromaster
0%
AEC Global Teamwork
MALE
FEMALE
CIB W78 Maribor – 28. June 2007 Robert Klinc [rklinc@itc.fgg.uni-lj.si]

Question
Please, evaluate from 1
(poor) to 5 (excellent) your
knowledge of communication
technologies prior to taking
this course?
CIB W78 Maribor – 28. June 2007 Robert Klinc [rklinc@itc.fgg.uni-lj.si]

Result
4,0
3,6 3,6
3,5
3,0
2,5
2,0
1,5
1,0
0,5
0,0
AEC Global Teamwork ITC Euromaster
CIB W78 Maribor – 28. June 2007 Robert Klinc [rklinc@itc.fgg.uni-lj.si]

Question
Which tool was least
known to you prior to
taking the course?
CIB W78 Maribor – 28. June 2007 Robert Klinc [rklinc@itc.fgg.uni-lj.si]

Results
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
archive of the
audio video
instant messaging application sharing forum e-mail lectures (video, other: w iki
communication communication
audio)
AEC Global Teamw ork 0% 50% 0% 25% 13% 0% 13% 0%
ITC Euromaster 0% 33% 0% 50% 0% 0% 0% 17%
CIB W78 Maribor – 28. June 2007 Robert Klinc [rklinc@itc.fgg.uni-lj.si]

Question
Which tool did you
find most useful
taking the course?
CIB W78 Maribor – 28. June 2007 Robert Klinc [rklinc@itc.fgg.uni-lj.si]

Results
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
archive of the
instant application audio video
forum e-mail lectures (video, other
messaging sharing communication communication
audio)
AEC Global Teamwork 50% 25% 13% 0% 13% 0% 0% 0%
ITC Euromaster 0% 43% 29% 14% 0% 0% 14% 0%
CIB W78 Maribor – 28. June 2007 Robert Klinc [rklinc@itc.fgg.uni-lj.si]

Why?
“Because it was the most convenient method to communicate with
others.” (audio communication)
ITC Euromaster student #6
“Helps in making quick decisions. Avoids lag time of e-mail.”
(instant messaging)
A/E/C Global Teamwork student #6
“It was the easiest and fastest way to convey a message. It also
took the least amount of time to set up.” (instant messaging)
A/E/C Global Teamwork student #7
CIB W78 Maribor – 28. June 2007 Robert Klinc [rklinc@itc.fgg.uni-lj.si]

Question
Which tool did you
mostly use during the
course?
CIB W78 Maribor – 28. June 2007 Robert Klinc [rklinc@itc.fgg.uni-lj.si]

Results
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
archive of the
instant application audio video
forum e-mail lectures (video, other
messaging sharing communication communication
audio)
AEC Global Teamwork 50% 0% 25% 0% 13% 13% 0% 0%
ITC Euromaster 14% 29% 29% 14% 0% 14% 0% 0%
CIB W78 Maribor – 28. June 2007 Robert Klinc [rklinc@itc.fgg.uni-lj.si]

Question
Did you experience
any (technical)
problems during the
course?
CIB W78 Maribor – 28. June 2007 Robert Klinc [rklinc@itc.fgg.uni-lj.si]

Results
100%
100%
86%
75%
50%
25%
14%
0%
0%
NO YES
AEC Global Teamwork 0% 100%
ITC Euromaster 14% 86%
CIB W78 Maribor – 28. June 2007 Robert Klinc [rklinc@itc.fgg.uni-lj.si]

What kind of problems?
□ A/E/C Global Teamwork:
□ Connection problems.
□ Could not host sessions.
□ Computers not able to handle multiple software.
□ Low bandwidth.
□ Stability.
□ ITC Euromaster:
□ Problems with ClickToMeet.
□ Problems with C2M.
□ Problems with video in ClicktoMeet.
□ …C2M…
□ Reliabiliy, bandwidth, video.
CIB W78 Maribor – 28. June 2007 Robert Klinc [rklinc@itc.fgg.uni-lj.si]

Question
What did you, in your
opinion, gain from
this experience?
CIB W78 Maribor – 28. June 2007 Robert Klinc [rklinc@itc.fgg.uni-lj.si]

Answers:
□ “New approach to BC business.”
□ “Since our office has spread to two locations we are
introducing more IT tools in the office.”
□ “I learned what the different types of internet
communication are most useful for.”
□ “Valuable lessons in working with people with completely
different mindsets.”
□ “I now know all of the options available for worldwide
communication.”
CIB W78 Maribor – 28. June 2007 Robert Klinc [rklinc@itc.fgg.uni-lj.si]

Conclusions
□ Both courses delivered what was promised.
□ Technology can still be an issue.
□ IM & audio most preferable technologies.
□ Lack of modular, centralised system for collaboration.
CIB W78 Maribor – 28. June 2007 Robert Klinc [rklinc@itc.fgg.uni-lj.si]

Thank you!
Questions?
CIB W78 Maribor – 28. June 2007 Robert Klinc [rklinc@itc.fgg.uni-lj.si]