2023 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Tolerance of Ambiguity and Engineering Identity

Presented at AERO 3: Innovative Pedagogy and Hands-on Learning 2

An understanding of the determinants of academic success of engineering students is important to improve the learning environment. The identity of a person is composed of several component identities. These various identities include but are not limited to, personal, identity, social identity, and professional identity. The correlation between professional identity and professional success as indicated by research has prompted the focus on development of engineering identity in engineering students. The tolerance of ambiguity of problem spaces is also being explored to move the learning environment closer towards a real-world problem space. This paper provides results of a study conducted at an HBCU to determine a correlation between tolerance of ambiguity, engineering identity. The responses of a cross-section of engineering students to validated surveys on engineering identity and tolerance of ambiguity were collected. The study indicated that the length of stay in college enhanced the engineering identity of the students. However, it was observed that the length of stay in college did not impact the tolerance of ambiguity.

Authors

Dr. M. Javed Khan Tuskegee University [biography]

Dr. M. Javed Khan is Professor and Head of Aerospace Science Engineering Department at Tuskegee University. He received his Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering from Texas A&M University, M.S. in Aeronautical Engineering from the US Air Force Institute of Technology, and B.E. in Aerospace Engineering from the PAF College of Aeronautical Engineering. He also has served as Professor and Head of Aerospace Engineering Department at the National University of Science and Technology,Pakistan. His research interests include experimental aerodynamics, aircraft design and engineering education.
Dr. Chadia Aji Tuskegee University [biography]

Chadia Affane Aji is a Professor in the Department of Mathematics at Tuskegee University. Dr. Aji received her Ph.D. and M.S. in Mathematics from Auburn University and a Bachelor in Chemical Engineering from Texas A&M University. Her research interests lie in the areas of numerical analysis, computational applied mathematics, complex analysis, and on improving students' learning in STEM disciplines. Dr. Aji is involved in retention activities at Tuskegee University. She helps designing strategies to assist incoming freshmen cope with first year mathematics classes. She developed teaching modules to improve students' learning in mathematics using technology.

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