ABSTRACT
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.
ABSTRACT
Interdisciplinary thinking as a skill appears to be of value to higher education students and those in employment. This idea is explored with reference to the agricultural and life sciences. The need for further understanding of the development of interdisciplinary thinking is acknowledged. This is closely related to the requirement for well-founded curriculum and course design. This publication presents a brief introduction to a systematic review of scientific research into teaching and learning in interdisciplinary higher education. While tentative, the understanding arising from the review findings is considered to be of potential value to educational practice. A selection of the review findings is presented by way of illustration. The selection is believed to be of relevance to the agricultural and life sciences. The review findings presented here take the form of interdisciplinary thinking sub skills and enabling conditions.