This course is designed for entry-level construction professionals, project engineers, estimators, and those looking to enter the construction industry with a solid foundation in reading construction documents. It is also appropriate for designers, architects, and project managers seeking to better understand how drawings and specifications communicate project requirements.



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September 2025
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There are 7 modules in this course
In this module, you鈥檒l begin by connecting a project鈥檚 drawings to the real-world structures they represent. You鈥檒l explore how to read a set of plans with an eye for orientation, layout, and building relationships, and you鈥檒l practice identifying how those drawings align with what will be built on site. You鈥檒l also learn how plans differ from specifications (specs) 鈥 and why both are essential for accurately communicating design intent and construction requirements. We鈥檒l also discuss the purpose, process, and people involved in producing and using construction documents, giving you a clear view of how information flows from design to construction. Your hands-on 鈥渘apkin sketch鈥 activity will give you a low-stakes way to start thinking in plan view, using a familiar space to practice representing 3D reality in 2D drawings. This foundational exercise will help you develop spatial awareness, understand orientation, and start working with basic plan-reading conventions.
What's included
13 videos3 readings2 assignments1 plugin
Construction drawings use scales, lines, and symbols to translate a physical building into a two-dimensional plan. In this module, you鈥檒l learn how to read these visual codes so you can accurately interpret what the drawings are communicating. You鈥檒l explore graphic and numeric scales, practice converting between them, and see how different disciplines use symbols in their plans. You鈥檒l also learn how legends tie it all together, giving you a quick reference for interpreting information consistently. By the end, you鈥檒l be able to confidently read and apply scales, lines, and symbols to extract key details from a set of drawings.
What's included
10 videos2 assignments1 plugin
Drawings show you the 鈥渨hat鈥 and 鈥渨here鈥 of a building鈥攂ut specifications provide the critical 鈥渉ow鈥 and 鈥渨ith what.鈥 In this module, you鈥檒l explore how specifications complement plans by describing materials, installation methods, and performance requirements. You鈥檒l learn how specifications are structured, how to locate key information in a section, and how to connect those requirements back to the drawings. We鈥檒l also introduce you to common construction materials and their basic properties, helping you see how choices in specs influence both design and cost. By the end, you鈥檒l be able to read a sample specification section, identify essential material requirements, and explain how specifications work together with plans to communicate the full project scope.
What's included
18 videos2 assignments1 discussion prompt1 plugin
Every construction project involves multiple disciplines, and each has its own way of communicating critical information through drawings. In this module, you鈥檒l explore how to read and interpret general, civil, landscape, and architectural sheets, paying close attention to the similarities and differences across each discipline. You鈥檒l practice identifying standard views such as floor plans, site plans, sections, and elevations, and learn to extract information about layout, orientation, materials, and spatial relationships. By the end, you鈥檒l be able to navigate these sheets with greater confidence and connect them back to specifications and the broader project scope.
What's included
16 videos2 assignments1 plugin
In this module, you鈥檒l dive into the technical heart of construction drawings: the structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire sprinkler systems. Each discipline brings unique information essential to understanding how a building is designed and constructed. You鈥檒l learn to identify structural components like beams and columns, follow ductwork and piping routes, interpret electrical layouts, and recognize fire protection systems. You鈥檒l also practice looking for conflicts and overlaps, building on the coordination skills from Module 4. By the end of this module, you鈥檒l be able to navigate these critical systems with greater confidence, interpret their symbols and line types, and understand how they integrate with architectural plans to form a complete picture of the project.
What's included
17 videos2 assignments1 plugin
In this module, you鈥檒l explore the critical role of trade coordination and learn how Division 09 (Finishes) connects across multiple disciplines. Finishes may look simple on the surface鈥攑aint, flooring, ceilings鈥攂ut in reality, they require tight coordination with framing, MEP, and structural elements to ensure everything fits and functions as intended. You鈥檒l practice reading and interpreting finish schedules, symbols, and notes, and see how they tie into both drawings and specifications. By the end of this module, you鈥檒l understand how Division 09 documents guide the selection and installation of finishes, and why accurate coordination across trades is essential to achieving quality and efficiency on a project.
What's included
10 videos1 reading2 assignments1 plugin
In this final module, you鈥檒l learn how to interpret keynotes, details, and elevations 鈥 three essential tools that add precision to construction documentation. Keynotes tie symbols and notes to specific requirements; details zoom in on connections, assemblies, and critical conditions; and elevations show vertical relationships that aren鈥檛 always clear in plan views. Together, they provide the depth needed to fully understand how a project will be built. By the end of this module, you鈥檒l be able to connect keynotes and details back to plans and specifications, and confidently read elevations to see how design intent translates into real-world construction.
What's included
7 videos2 assignments1 plugin
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