Teacher profiles in higher education: the move to online education during the COVID-19 crisis

During the COVID-19 pandemic, teachers were forced to move their teaching completely online. While some seized the opportunity to learn and innovate, others experienced difficulties. This study provides insights into the differences between university teachers during the COVID-19 crisis. A survey among university teachers (N = 283) was conducted to investigate their attitudes towards online teaching, beliefs about students' learning, level of stress experienced, self-efficacy and beliefs about their own professional development. Employing a hierarchical cluster analysis, four distinct teacher profiles were found. Profile 1 was critical but eager;Profile 2 was positive but stressed;Profile 3 was critical and reluctant;Profile 4 was optimistic and easy-going. The profiles differed significantly in their use and perception of support. We suggest that teacher education research should carefully consider sampling procedures or take a person-centred research approach and that universities should develop targeted forms of teacher communication, support and policy.

COVID-19 FORCED REMOTE TEACHING AND UNIVERSITY EDUCATION AFTER IT

The COVID-19 outbreak at the beginning of 2020 disrupted students' and teachers' learning and teaching activities worldwide as it led to a quick transition from education, including faceto-face interaction to emergency remote teaching (ERT). During this ERT period monitoring research on the experiences and innovation needs was done at Wageningen University & Research. This was supplemented with small teacher and student group consultations. The results show that a focus on student well-being is needed in the years ahead. The ERT was appreciated as it kept education going on. Still, students indicated lack of sense of connectedness and a strong desire to have face-to-face education as part of the Teaching and Learning Activities (TLA). For the following years, online versions of most courses should be available to stay prepared for online education when needed. That includes online alternatives for vulnerable TLA's like labs and excursions. The ERT courses hastily developed in 2020 can be redesigned in combination with a blended learning curriculum for less restricted times. This requires a well-designed mix of TLA's to activate students, rather than simply flipping one kind of TLA for another. In combination with the (re)design of courses geared to sense of connectedness, this might add up to the resilient curricula we need for the following years. © CDIO 2022.All rights reserved.