Document Type

Article

Publication Date

11-2026

Department

Department of Civil, Environmental, and Geospatial Engineering; Department of Computer Science; Department of Engineering Fundamentals; Department of Psychology and Human Factors

Abstract

Automated feedback is increasingly used to support programming instruction, yet little is known about how such tools influence students' self-efficacy development. This study examines how prior programming experience and initial confidence shape self-efficacy gains among first-year engineering students using an automated code critiquer for formative feedback. Pre- and post-intervention surveys were collected from 380 students enrolled in an introductory MATLAB programming course, employing two validated instruments: the Computer Programming Self-Efficacy Scale (CPSES) and the Longitudinal Assessment of Engineering Self-Efficacy (LAESE). Students with prior programming experience demonstrated significantly greater gains in both CPSES and LAESE than novices, although distinctions among basic, intermediate, and advanced levels were minimal. Students with low initial confidence achieved the largest improvements, while highly confident students plateaued or slightly declined, reflecting ceiling or recalibration effects. Gains were more pronounced for CPSES than for LAESE, suggesting that domain-specific feedback most strongly enhances proximal, skill-focused beliefs. These findings highlight the importance of tailoring feedback to students' entry profiles and embedding programming within design-rich, collaborative contexts to strengthen its connection to engineering identity. The study advances understanding of how adaptive feedback mechanisms support self-efficacy development and provides actionable guidance for creating more inclusive and effective programming curricula in engineering education.

Publisher's Statement

© 2026 The Author(s). Computer Applications in Engineering Education published by Wiley Periodicals LLC. Publisher’s version of record: https://doi.org/10.1002/cae.70285

Publication Title

Computer Applications in Engineering Education

Version

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