Despite everything, still satisfied with teaching: Subjective states and attitudes of university teaching faculty

University teachers complain that teaching tasks occupy an ever-increasing share of their working time, which leads to a decrease in their ability to perform their research and administrative tasks. As research is considered more prestigious, teaching is viewed as a burden, also in terms of career advancement. Is this the case? The present study used an online survey conducted at four universities and interviews with teaching faculty to analyze the subjective states and attitudes of university teachers. The results point to a prevalent intrinsic motivation that is generated and maintained by the teachers’ professional self-perceptions. Starting with the surprising finding that, regardless of differing structural conditions, teachers appear to be satisfied with their situations, the present work explores different forms of acquisition in teaching practice.

21.06.2013 | Roland Bloch, Monique Lathan & Carsten Würmann (Wittenberg)