2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Enhancing self-efficacy among civil engineering undergraduates using hand-on pedagogy

Self-efficacy is defined as an individual's belief in their ability to succeed in tasks and it is pivotal in
shaping student performance in engineering disciplines. In civil engineering education, where the
focus is traditionally on theoretical frameworks, the need for a dynamic approach that fosters both
practical skills and confidence among students has become increasingly essential. This research
examines the elements influencing self-efficacy in civil engineering undergraduates and assesses the
effectiveness of a hands-on pedagogical model grounded in experiential learning.
Utilizing a quantitative research design, this study implemented the Motivated Strategy for Learning
Questionnaires (MSLQ) alongside a pre-test and post-test framework. Data will be collected from a
number of civil engineering students engaged in courses that emphasize hands-on experiences. The
analysis will be conducted using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) to determine
changes in self-efficacy scores, employing inferential statistical methods at a confidence level of
95%. The results of this study will provide valued insights into the impact of experiential learning on self-
efficacy in civil engineering students by recognizing this key factor that influences confidence in their
academic and practical capabilities, the study will contribute to the development of more effective
educational strategies. Ultimately, this research aims to support a shift toward more hands-on,
student-centered pedagogical approaches in engineering education, fostering both competence and
confidence in future civil engineers.

Authors

Mr. Pelumi Olaitan Abiodun http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4969-9591 Morgan State University [biography]

Pelumi Abiodun is a current doctoral student and research assistant at the department of Civil Engineering, Morgan State University, Baltimore, Maryland. Pelumi got his BSc and MSc degree in Physics from Obafemi Awolowo University, where he also served as a research assistant at the Environmental Pollution Research unit, in Ile-Ife, Nigeria. As part of his contribution to science and engineering, Pelumi has taught as a teaching assistant both at Morgan State University and Obafemi Awolowo University. With passion to communicate research findings and gleaned from experts in the field as he advances his career, Olaitan has attended several in-persons and virtual conferences and workshop, and at some of them, made presentation on findings on air pollution, waste water reuse, and heavy metal contamination.
Mr. Michael Oluwafemi Ige Morgan State University [biography]

Michael Ige is a Graduate Research Assistant in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Morgan State University, Maryland, where he is pursuing his M.Sc. in Civil and Environmental Engineering with a concentration in Construction Management and Transportation Engineering. He earned his B.Tech. in Building Structure from the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria. Michael has extensive professional experience managing large-scale heavy construction and façade projects, including high-rise and industrial developments across West Africa, having held key roles in the field. His research interests include the integration of digital tools in construction education, resilient building design, and asset management in civil infrastructure. He is passionate about bridging academic knowledge with real-world application and is committed to developing innovative, cost-effective, and sustainable construction solutions.
Samuel Sola Akosile Morgan State University [biography]

Samuel Akosile is a Ph.D. student in Sustainable Infrastructure and Resilience Engineering at Morgan State University, within the Department of Civil Engineering. He currently works as a Research Assistant, contributing to innovative studies in the field of civil infrastructure. His primary research area focuses on sustainable design for pavement systems, aiming to develop environmentally responsible, durable, and cost-effective solutions for modern transportation networks. Samuel’s work explores the integration of green materials, lifecycle assessment, and resilient engineering practices in pavement design. Through his research, he seeks to address key challenges in infrastructure sustainability while promoting long-term resilience in the face of climate change and increasing urban demands
Dr. Oludare Adegbola Owolabi P.E. Morgan State University [biography]

Dr. Oludare Owolabi, a professional engineer in Maryland, joined the Morgan State University faculty in 2010. He is the assistant director of the Center for Advanced Transportation and Infrastructure Engineering Research (CATIER) at Morgan State Universit
Tolulope Abiri Morgan State University
Grace Yemisi Balogun Morgan State University [biography]

Grace Yemisi Balogun

Note

The full paper will be available to logged in and registered conference attendees once the conference starts on June 22, 2025, and to all visitors after the conference ends on June 25, 2025