Exploring Online Teaching's Impact on Instructors in Core Engineering Courses: Insights, Challenges, and Future Directions

ABSTRACT This study examines the impact of online teaching on instructors of fundamental engineering courses, focusing on insights, challenges, and future pathways. By analyzing the instructors' perspectives, the research examines various aspects of online teaching, including mode of delivery, student engagement strategies, assessment preferences, and future directions. Insights are drawn from a comprehensive survey of instructors, shedding light on their experiences, challenges, and preferences in the online teaching landscape. The findings highlight a preference for synchronous sessions, the utilization of diverse engagement techniques, and the significance of maintaining academic integrity in assessments. Instructors' preference for face‐to‐face interaction for improved academic performance and openness to hybrid teaching modes are evident. This study not only provides valuable insights into the dynamics of online teaching but also paves the way for future advancements in pedagogical strategies and educational technology integration. The research identifies potential areas for future work, ranging from refining hybrid teaching models to exploring emerging technologies and fostering instructor training.