In Spring 2020, the world of teaching changed suddenly to use more digital and online tools; now in 2021, there is a move back toward ”normal” campus-based learning--but it's been said that we can’t go back to "normal" because this is normal now: Teachers around the world have been experimenting ever more with inchoate technologies like Mixed Reality tools (comprising Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality) (e.g. Rokhsaritalemi et al, 2020), robots (e.g. Zhong et al, 2020), and gaming apps like Gather.Town that can support feelings of immersion, engagement and social presence. New exam tools are coming out. Additionally, teachers are exploring hybrid setups that allow people to attend physically or remotely, based on their needs (e.g. Coates et al, 2020). Given the lack of assurances and clarity regarding how teaching with technology will look like in the near future, it seems vital to explore such possibilities, in order to excel, stand out, and stay competitive. Moreover, it might not be sufficient to hear only what managers and scholars think; we want to hear what everyday teachers on the front lines think. Thus, here, we turn our gaze inward, on our own teachers at our university: what are we doing with such technologies in our teaching, and where do we want to go? To gain insight, we sent out a short survey, receiving 42 responses from all four schools at our university. The responses indicated a few of our teachers are using new technologies like MR, robots, and gaming apps for fields like physics, marine science, and psychology, where a perceived lack of three elements--competence, opportunities, and understanding of benefits—is suggested as a challenge. Use of automated exam tools is highly limited. Additionally, our teachers do not agree on learning formats. Slightly over half of teachers favor physical classes and hybrid teacher meetings, with a conservative trend (many think students should be forced in one way or another). Most teachers say they have tried hybrid classes; more are for it than against, but the ones who are against it seem very strongly against it; the challenge of focus was mentioned. The aim with sharing our results is to shed light on possibilities for this new world of teaching that looms before us, to stimulate ideas and discussions.
2022.