Inter-disciplinary Working - a practical e-learning case study: The Shanghai Challenge

For decades, Built Environment departments have discussed inter-disciplinary working and aspired to deliver projects bringing architectural, building, real estate, planning and engineering students together to mirror real life practices. Unfortunately, barriers such as timetabling, facilities, management structures, professional accreditation restrictions and university bureaucracy have frustrated such innovation. This presentation demonstrates the creation of an inter-disciplinary e-learning project linking architectural, construction and real estate students together in a project based around a site in Shanghai. It discusses the projects design, assessment criteria, integration of inter-disciplinary working and an evaluation of its first year of operation. The presentation explores the pedagogical and technological opportunities and problems associated with the ìmassificationî of the project by creating a DVD based resource that students can use to undertake the project in a ìvirtualî environment and provides: A checklist for success; An analysis of how the approach removed the barriers to inter-disciplinary project creation.