Exploring the Pathways for Digital Transformation of the “Building Equipment” Course in the Context of Applied University Development

Under the national strategy of building an education power, application-oriented universities face the urgent task of aligning curriculum systems with industrial upgrading needs. This study presents a systematic reform of Building Equipment, a core civil engineering course, through a “Five New” smart education ecosystem. By integrating VR/AR virtual simulation, AI-BIM collaboration platforms, and a three-dimensional evaluation system, the reform addresses critical challenges in traditional education, such as technological obsolescence, practice-education gaps, and simplistic assessment. Empirical results show significant improvements in teaching efficiency and student competence, offering a scalable model for vocational education innovation in emerging technical fields.