Scholarship of teaching and learning
Perhaps, I am not at the stage of my teaching career where I can dive into a completely new research domain and start studying my teaching practices from a scientific point of view. I will have to think about the research question that I want to answer as well as proper methods and the ways of realization of such a research project, as well as apply for ethical clearance. I will also need a mentor or advisor from senior staff members to guide me through a new research field. If I start a research project on the scholarship of teaching and learning, it will probably be related to introducing new technology in the classroom and monitoring its effect on student engagement and motivation.
In 2022-2023, I facilitated a research project of my colleagues who were looking at the positive effect of virtual geological 3D tours. Students were presented with a lecture on applied engineering geology and then shown a virtual tour that was supposed to clarify the topic even further. They were asked to write a test before and after attending the tour, and the levels of understanding of a concept of engineering geology were compared between the two tests. It was insightful to be a part of this experiment and gave me some information to think about. I also examined students on the topic during the final assessment (they were warned about it to increase their motivation for participation in the project).