Digital Standards Education 

Modules for Innovation and 

Sustainability of Concrete 

Infrastructure

PI: Alexander Brand, Eric Jacques, and Roberto Leon

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Virginia Tech
Accomplishments

• Four modules of digital 

content available through 

an open Canvas website

• Each module includes 

recorded presentations 

(including available slides 

and transcript) and 

activities

• Accompanying quizzes 

and assignments are 

available
Communication Plan

• Communication effective within the department 

to utilize modules in multiple courses

• Student feedback has been positive! 

• Content is still being updated and improved, based 

on feedback, so the final versions of the modules 

are nearly complete

• PIs plan to disseminate content to colleagues 

• Modules are openly available, so anyone is able to 

use them and build upon the content
Final Summary Paper

• Final summary paper is in progress

• We want to include additional feedback from 

students in Fall 2022 semester

• Findings: In general, students had a positive 

feedback to the content

• “These modules were helpful. Although I already understand what a 

standard is, these modules helped me look at the bigger picture.”

• “I think overall the module is successful in its goal of getting the 

user/learner to better understand standards and how they are used. I 

personally feel like this module exercise was very beneficial.”
Evaluation

• The content of the modules was evaluated 

through student surveys 

• Students had the opportunity to provide feedback 

for changes or improvement

• Feedback was anonymous

• Quiz questions were given to students before and 

after the module to assess student understanding 

and comprehension 
Outcomes 

• We have met our primary goal 

• “The goal of this project is to combine standards education in 

concrete and cementitious materials with future and emerging 

technologies to prepare students for sustainability and resilience of 

the built environment.”

• We have not completed all of our desired impacts

• Pilot content to students in another program (United States Military 

Academy at West Point)

• Disseminate content at a professional meeting (ACI Committees E701 

and ACI S802)
Outcomes - Metrics

• Content has been piloted in CEE 4614/5984

• Impact 90 students (80 undergrad, 10 grad)

• Developing module content has included 3 graduate 

students

• Changed instructional perspective on how and when 

students are introduced to standards and how they are used 

in civil engineering

• Content is or will be part of core curriculum in CEE 3684, 

CEE 4614/5984, and CEE 3424 at Virginia Tech

• Content will also be used as “training material” for new 

undergraduate research assistants
Lessons Learned

• Define “when to stop” with making more content

• Hire a student with videography and video editing 

experience 

• Take advantage of available university videography 

recourses (Virginia Tech has Media Design Studio A)
From Proposal to Project: Project 

Management Challenges

• Project timeline shifted dramatically (taking more 

time than planned), since we had issues with video 

editing and since we keep updating the content

• Project outcomes did not change due to delay

• Project end date was extended by no-cost time 

extension

• Budget was realistic, but if I did it all over, I would 

shift GRA appointments to later in the project to 

handle more of the videography
Additional Information/Future Plans

• Other faculty in CEE at VT are interested in seeing the final 

product

• We plan to extend to Construction Engineering and Management 

program

• Short term: Finish summary paper, disseminate modules to 

colleagues outside of VT, and continue to update/modify 

the content based on student responses

• Long term: Highlight the importance of standards earlier in 

the CEE curriculum
Contact Details

Alexander Brand, PhD, PE

asbrand@vt.edu

Eric Jacques, PhD, PEng

ejacques@vt.edu

Roberto Leon, PhD, PE

rleon@vt.edu