Technology for real estate education and practice: a VR technology perspective
ISSN: 0263-7472
Article publication date: 2 March 2020
Issue publication date: 6 April 2020
Abstract
Purpose
Led by the rapid advancement of information technology in engineering, business and creative industries, the emergence of new technology such as virtual reality (VR) and its use in education and practices are clearly observed. Although widely spread in industry practices, technology-led innovation is applied rather slowly in the tertiary real estate education. This paper examines the integrative effect of VR technology in a real estate course.
Design/methodology/approach
This study adopts a case study approach. Using an experimental course design and delivery in a business school real estate programme from Hong Kong, this paper shows the design, development and implementation of an innovative teaching model with VR being integrated. A survey was conducted to gain feedback information from participating students towards teaching innovation. It identifies the role and values of adopting VR technology in real estate education as pedagogical tool.
Findings
A new teaching model integrated with VR technology to deliver a real estate course has demonstrated its ability and potential to assist the development and enhancement of student's sense of value and place, as well as improving communicative efficiency of property investigation and the analysis of trade process. Findings from the study have implications for future global real estate industry practice and education.
Originality/value
The critical role of information technology to revolutionise the global economy and its real estate sector is apparent. Few studies have inquired about attempts and experience of integrating VR technology in real estate education towards direct link to industry practice. This paper is a major attempt to bring attention to this important concern.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
This project is funded by Course-ware Development Grant from the Chinese University of Hong Kong entitled “Using Virtual Reality (VR) Technology to Create Site Visit”. Project code: 4170588.
Citation
Hou, H.(C). and Wu, H. (2020), "Technology for real estate education and practice: a VR technology perspective", Property Management, Vol. 38 No. 2, pp. 311-324. https://doi.org/10.1108/PM-08-2019-0046
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited