Enhancing Online Hands-On Learning in Engineering Education: Student Perceptions and Recommendations

Designing effective online engineering courses that include hands-on components or labs requires a thorough understanding of student perspectives and the development of strategies to improve learning outcomes. Despite the growing number of studies on online learning, little information exists on the unique challenges engineering students face in hands-on courses. To address this gap, this study used a questionnaire to gather engineering students’ perspectives on course design and delivery. The findings highlight the challenges faced by students in online engineering courses with hands-on components, such as difficulty in collaborating with peers. To address these challenges, recommendations are proposed, such as incorporating virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR) technologies and simulations to enhance the online hands-on component, providing opportunities for students to apply their knowledge in a hands-on setting, and supplementing hands-on components with video lectures and demonstrations. By addressing these challenges, faculty can improve student readiness and contribute to the development of skilled professionals in the engineering industry. This study provides insights for educators seeking to enhance online hands-on learning in engineering education.