What triggers emotions in university teaching?
Keywords:
Emotions; university teaching; pedagogical trainingAbstract
Refereed article
This study explores the range of university teachers’ emotions and, most importantly, triggers of these emotions. Sixteen teachers representing six disciplines were interviewed before and after teaching a specific course. A range of emotions was identified through qualitative content analysis. Emotions ranged from positive to negative, and several triggering elements were identified, which were grouped under five categories: 1) Teaching process, 2) student learning outcomes and experiences, 3) teacher characteristics and teaching skills, 4) student roles and activity levels and 5) interaction between teachers and students. Differences between teachers who had participated in pedagogical courses and those who had not were detected in the triggering elements. The study provides a deeper understanding of the nature and triggering elements of emotions in academic contexts. Identifying what triggers emotions in university teaching is important in supporting teachers to recognize and regulate their emotions.
