Within academia, teaching is often perceived as a more private activity than research, and while regularly scrutinizing and commenting on each others research, we more seldom do so when our teaching is concerned. For you as an individual in a collegial group, this might both feel as a relief and a zone of freedom, but it might also feel lonely, especially if you still feel exposed to scrutiny from your students. Still, the feed forward from teaching peers is known to be powerful for the sake of the development of teaching.

In this video, we will spend some time looking at how the collegial context might influence you and on the benefits of a trusted significant network, in which you can discuss teaching issues.

Transcript for Academic Teacher Identity in a Collegial Context

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Paul Trowler, a British sociologist engaged in higher education, and Ali Cooper, a British educational developer, have coined the concept of Teaching and Learning Regimes - TLRs.

By this they mean “a constellation of rules, assumptions, practices and relationships related to teaching and learning issues in higher education”. TLRs are usually quite resistant to change.

Katarina Mårtensson and Torgny Roxå, both Swedish educational developers, have found that academic teachers tend to create their own networks of trusted colleagues to discuss their teaching with. If it is not possible within the department, it might be better to look for peers outside of it.The point is that such a network needs to be a group of peers with whom you feel confident enough to discuss openly and where you can provide each other with constructive feedback on your teaching. Trust is a key concept here.

You can also contact the professional development unit at your institute or university, and ask what activities they provide which you can take part in. Meeting other teachers in courses or other activities with the specific aim to discuss and develop teaching often leads to valuable and rewarding contacts with teachers from other disciplines or departments to build sustainable networks with.