Challenges, teaching practices, and opportunities in orthographic projection: A qualitative study in indonesian TVET

Andri Setiyawan; Afri Yudantoko; Mohammad Burhan Rubai Wijaya; Soeharto Soeharto; Wirawan Sumbodo; Tommy Tanu  Wijaya; Fitria Arifiyanti; Tony Houghton; Aris Puja Widikda; Zsolt Lavicza

doi:10.20897/ejsteme/18863

Research Article

2026, 11(1), Article No: 35

Challenges, teaching practices, and opportunities in orthographic projection: A qualitative study in indonesian TVET

https://doi.org/10.20897/ejsteme/18863

Published in Volume 11 Issue 1: 28 Jun 2026

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Abstract

Engineering drawing is fundamental to technical and vocational education and training (TVET), yet many students struggle with orthographic projection as a foundational skill. Despite ongoing efforts in vocational education reform, limited attention has been given to how orthographic projection is taught and experienced in classroom practice. This study investigates the challenges students face, current teaching practices, and perceived opportunities for improving engineering drawing instruction in Indonesian vocational high schools. Using a qualitative design, data were collected through semi-structured interviews with ten students and five teachers. Reflexive thematic analysis revealed consistent patterns of student difficulties in spatial visualization, understanding projection methods, drawing accuracy, and the use of computer-aided design (CAD). Teaching practices were found to rely primarily on paper-based instruction and manual sketching, with limited integration of digital tools. Participants identified several potential strategies, including expanded CAD practice, the use of 3D-printed models, industry-linked projects, and immersive tools such as augmented and virtual reality. These strategies were described as helpful for supporting visualization and engagement in learning. These findings reflect participants’ perceptions of instructional needs rather than demonstrated effectiveness. The study contributes context-specific qualitative insights into learning bottlenecks and instructional practices in Indonesian TVET. It offers context-sensitive, tentative implications for instructional design and future research in vocational engineering drawing education.

Figure 1. The authors illustrated the sample of orthographic projection in the engineering drawing task

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APA 7th edition

In-text citation: (Setiyawan et al., 2026)
Reference: Setiyawan, A., Yudantoko, A., Wijaya, M. B. R., Soeharto, S., Sumbodo, W., Wijaya, T. T., Arifiyanti, F., Houghton, T., Widikda, A. P., & Lavicza, Z. (2026). Challenges, teaching practices, and opportunities in orthographic projection: A qualitative study in indonesian TVET. European Journal of STEM Education, 11(1), Article 35. https://doi.org/10.20897/ejsteme/18863

AMA 10th edition

In-text citation: (1), (2), (3), etc.
Reference: Setiyawan A, Yudantoko A, Wijaya MBR, et al. Challenges, teaching practices, and opportunities in orthographic projection: A qualitative study in indonesian TVET. European Journal of STEM Education. 2026;11(1), 35. https://doi.org/10.20897/ejsteme/18863

Chicago

In-text citation: (Setiyawan et al., 2026)
Reference: Setiyawan, Andri, Afri Yudantoko, Mohammad Burhan Rubai Wijaya, Soeharto Soeharto, Wirawan Sumbodo, Tommy Tanu Wijaya, Fitria Arifiyanti, Tony Houghton, Aris Puja Widikda, and Zsolt Lavicza. "Challenges, teaching practices, and opportunities in orthographic projection: A qualitative study in indonesian TVET". European Journal of STEM Education 2026 11 no. 1 (2026): 35. https://doi.org/10.20897/ejsteme/18863

Harvard

In-text citation: (Setiyawan et al., 2026)
Reference: Setiyawan, A., Yudantoko, A., Wijaya, M. B. R., Soeharto, S., Sumbodo, W., Wijaya, T. T., . . . Lavicza, Z. (2026). Challenges, teaching practices, and opportunities in orthographic projection: A qualitative study in indonesian TVET. European Journal of STEM Education, 11(1), 35. https://doi.org/10.20897/ejsteme/18863

MLA

In-text citation: (Setiyawan et al., 2026)
Reference: Setiyawan, Andri et al. "Challenges, teaching practices, and opportunities in orthographic projection: A qualitative study in indonesian TVET". European Journal of STEM Education, vol. 11, no. 1, 2026, 35. https://doi.org/10.20897/ejsteme/18863

Vancouver

In-text citation: (1), (2), (3), etc.
Reference: Setiyawan A, Yudantoko A, Wijaya MBR, Soeharto S, Sumbodo W, Wijaya TT, et al. Challenges, teaching practices, and opportunities in orthographic projection: A qualitative study in indonesian TVET. European Journal of STEM Education. 2026;11(1):35. https://doi.org/10.20897/ejsteme/18863

Keywords

engineering drawing, orthographic projection, vocational education, spatial visualization, qualitative study, TVET

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