Challenges in Online Practical Learning Among Engineering Diploma Students: A Case Study at Kuching Polytechnic During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted education system across the world and caused changes in how schools conduct their daily activities. As a result, practical learning among polytechnic students has shifted to an online mode of delivery. This research investigated the challenges faced by engineering students at Kuching Polytechnic Sarawak during online practical learning and their stress levels. Online survey using quantitative approach was adopted inn this research to identify the challenges and students’ stress levels during the online practical learning. A total of 335 engineering studentswere selected using simple random sampling method. The research found that the smartphone is a modern device used by students frequently, while videos from YouTube sourceswere commonly used as a teaching material by the lecturers. This study also found out that the challenge and the engineering students’ stress level are at a moderate level, and there was no significant difference in the stress level between male and female students. Nevertheless, this research discovered that there was a significant relationship between the stress level and the student challenges during online practical learning. The present findings suggest that students should take these challenges as opportunities to explore a more innovative way of learning to ensure their engagement in online practical learning is more effective. Besides, lecturers should integrate educational technology into online practical learning in order to make the learning process more engaging and adaptive. On top of that, the findings also recommend that the Ministry of Higher Education should formulate a strategy to improve the infrastructure and provide specific training for TVET lecturersto enhance their pedagogical competency in online practical teaching in engineering education. This aspect requires further research to ensure that online practical learning is not regarded as an obstacle for both students and lecturers.