2026 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Comparative Effectiveness of Teaching Modalities in Architecture and Construction Management Education

Presented at Architectural Engineering Division (ARCHE) Technical Session 1

The evolution of teaching modalities in higher education has prompted a critical need to evaluate their effectiveness, particularly in disciplines like Architecture and Construction Management (ACM), which rely heavily on studio-based, project-oriented, and collaborative learning. The comparable effectiveness of online and hybrid modalities remains insufficiently explored. This research aims to systematically evaluate and compare the impact of online and face-to-face teaching approaches on student learning outcomes, engagement, and instructional quality across various course types and levels. The study adopts a mixed-methods design, integrating quantitative data (grades and retention rates) with qualitative insights (student and instructor surveys and interviews). Courses are selected from ACM programs based on their availability in multiple modalities and are categorized into studios, seminars, and lectures. Participants include students and instructors from freshman to upper-level courses, ensuring a comprehensive representation of learning experiences. Institutional data and survey responses are analyzed to assess academic performance, perceived learning, satisfaction, and engagement.
The scope of the research encompasses comparative analysis across modalities, course types, and participant demographics, with attention to discipline-specific challenges and instructional needs. The findings will inform the development of a modality suitability matrix, offering evidence-based recommendations for optimizing course delivery formats in ACM education. Ultimately, this study contributes to the broader discourse on digital transformation in education, supports strategic decision-making in curriculum planning, and enhances the quality of teaching and learning in Architecture and Construction Management programs.
Keywords: Teaching Modalities, Architecture, Education, Construction Management, Online Learning, Grade, Higher Education, Educational Technology

Authors

Dr. Sanjeev Adhikari http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5051-0346 Kennesaw State University [biography]

Dr. Sanjeev Adhikari is faculty from Kennesaw State University. Previously he was faculty at Morehead State University from 2009 to 2016 and faculty at Purdue University – Indianapolis from 2016 to 2019. He completed a Ph.D. degree in civil engineering, focusing on construction management, from Michigan Technological University in 2008. He has an extensive teaching background with 22 years of the academic experience at five different universities. Students and
departments have always praised him for his outstanding teaching and research excellence. He has been involved in numerous professional societies to supplement his teaching and research, including ASCE, ACI, ASEE, ASC, ATMAE, and TRB. His research output has been well disseminated as he has published 100+ journal papers and conference papers. His research interests are 1) Creating Innovative Sustainable Materials, 2) Digital Construction, 3) BIM and VDC, 4) Virtual Testing Lab, 5) Construction Education, and 6) Sustainability.
Prof. Kathryn Bedette Kennesaw State University [biography]

Kathryn Bedette, AIA, is an award-winning architect and Professor of Architecture at Kennesaw State University. Currently serving as Associate Dean for the College of Architecture and Construction Management, her research examines the conceptual frameworks used by architects and students of architecture in creating design priorities and making decisions that affect the built environment. This body of work is largely situated within architecture theory as it extends into the subject areas of design, inclusion, advocacy, and pedagogy. She has published, presented, and exhibited internationally on posthumanist design and argues for the potential impact of architectural design informed by posthumanist philosophy.
Giovanni Loreto http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1699-9977 Kennesaw State University [biography]

Dr. Loreto is an Associate Professor in the Department of Architecture at Kennesaw State University, where he is currently serving as Associate Dean of Faculty/Staff Affairs and Research in the College of Architecture and Construction Management. In this role, he is responsible for college-wide programs that help faculty and staff advance in their professional careers through mentoring, educational, and orientational programs. He also oversees operations related to research, curriculum, graduate studies, and facilities.
Dr. Loreto earned both his Master in Architectural Engineering and Ph.D. in Civil Engineering from the University of Napoli “Federico II”, Italy. Before joining KSU in the Fall 2016, he worked as postdoctoral associate at both the University of Miami and Georgia Institute of Technology.
His research focus on novel construction materials, structural performance evaluation, and sustainable constructions, while integrating structural concepts within the architectural design process.

Note

The full paper will be available to logged in and registered conference attendees once the conference starts on June 21, 2026, and to all visitors after the conference ends on June 24, 2026

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