Building Information Modeling is the technology converting the workplace in design firms around the world. Now, professionals as well as academia see the feasibility and benefits of converting to such a new technology.
Therefore, it seems inevitable to start teaching BIM to architecture students. And as we keep using and depending on computers the way we are, it also seems inevitable that programming will soon become one of the core curriculum classes for architecture students.
 
Ironically, the same problems facing professionals in design firms are those facing academic educators in schools of architecture, but with some different aspects. The misconceptions about the reality of BIM, the previous bad experiences with slow systems and badly designed packages and the lack of understanding of the full potential of the applications are the common issues.
In the light of the new paradigm shift, few schools have started looking at the problem of preparing their students for a career in a BIM enabled work environment. Many schools around the world are still sticking to the old curriculum for teaching CAD, mainly teaching AutoCAD as a general purpose drafting package. The problem is due partly to the novelty of the technology as there are few people capable of teaching it, and partly to the dilemma of teaching one application versus teaching the technology behind it.

Besides the learning curve needed to understand the interface, there should be the early introduction to how to interact deeply with the provided objects and the ability not only to choose from a preset presorted list but to dynamically edit its content. Using blocks and symbols with conventional CAD platform is not mandatory, although it is a common useful technique. Working in BIM modelers requires the regular use of block-like objects with the inherited “not in control” feeling.

As mentioned before, the training required for BIM based CAD should focus on the change in the work flow rather than the application interface and functionalities. Therefore, building a course for teaching these systems should follow a different path than what it used to be with conventional CAD. The training should be tied closely to the design curriculum in the design schools. Students should get acquainted with the application after they get to understand what design is, but before they get trained on a conventional drafting CAD application. 

Would a different interface change this and empower the user more? Hence, enhancing the experience and relieving some of the concerns attached with introducing BIM in the architecture curriculum? Would empowering the students with the ability to disassemble and reassemble the program in one’s own way by writing code or scripting be the answer to the concerns?