Inhibiting factors to successful virtual teaching and learning in engineering science topic from the perspectives of polytechnic lecturers

The present study aims to explore the perceptions of polytechnic lecturers on inhibiting factors to successful virtual teaching and learning in engineering science topics. Three purposefully selected lecturers who had more than 10 years of experience teaching engineering science-related topics from Politeknik Tuanku Sultanah Bahiyah, Kulim Kedah were interviewed. The in-depth interviews were transcribed and analysed using qualitative thematic analysis. The findings present the point of view of the lecturers with regard to the inhibiting factors standing in their way of being effective and successful in virtual teaching classes. Their perspective had generated four themes of the inhibiting factors, which were as follows: (1) the readiness and satisfaction of the lecturer; (2) the level of focus and attitude of the student; (3) the facility and environment; and (4) the lecturer–student devalue relationship. The lecturers outlined a few numbers of possible suggestions to overcome these inhibiting factors. They have articulated their apprehension about the polytechnic’s students' lack of motivation and self-directed learning for continuing their education in the field of engineering science. The anticipated suggestions could be done for further investigations and improvements in the virtual teaching of the topic of Engineering Science.