Following the tradition I started last year, I am pleased to be here again to reflect on the many achievements and experiences that shaped 2024. It has been a year full of growth, learning and memorable moments, and I look forward to sharing them with you in this yearly review.
January
I started the year by attending some courses, including the Methodenschule (Methodology School), where I learned about grounded theory from Dr. Anja Sieber Egger from PHZH, what helped me to better understand how to use qualitative methods in my research. I also attended the course on systematic review from Dr. Melissa Bond from University College London, which gave me valuable experience in organising and analysing research. These activities were a good way to start the year and focus on improving my research skills.
February
In February I focused on several exciting projects. I continued working on ImaginEd, a project exploring how games can drive reflection and change in education. At the same time, I conducted interviews with student teachers to better understand their motivations for becoming teachers and how they see their role evolving in the future.
Towards the end of the month, I started preparing to teach the “Medienbildung und Informatik” (Media Education and Computer Science) course at PHZH in German, designed for future primary school teachers. This teaching opportunity marked a new chapter in my career, and I was excited to share my knowledge with the next generation of educators.
Outside of work, I visited Zermatt for the first time and enjoyed its amazing ski slopes with breathtaking views of the Matterhorn. It was an unforgettable experience, and I can’t wait to go back!
March
March was a busy and rewarding month, full of opportunities to present my research. I started by attending the DGfE Conference in Halle (Germany), where I presented on the topic “Becoming a teacher in times of digital change: The relationship between digital competence and motivation to digitalise”. This presentation was part of the working group Media Literacy, which addressed the topic “Media-related skills in times of crisis. New and old challenges for empiricism and theory?”. It was a great opportunity to get very valuable feedback for my research. In addition, I was able to visit the Cabinet of Curiosities of the Francke Foundation in Halle, an exhibition dating back to the early 18th century with objects intended to foster curiosity and learning.
A week later, I travelled to the SITE Conference in Las Vegas, USA, where I presented another study: “Becoming a teacher in the digital age: No difference between the motivations of prospective science and humanities teachers”, which was published here. This conference provided me with an amazing opportunity to connect with international researchers.
In addition to the conference, I used this opportunity to visit The Sphere, the largest spherical structure in the world, with amazing immersive technology. Furthermore, I also took time to visit San Francisco and Stanford University, exploring the area and being inspired by the vibrant academic and technological scenes.
April
In April, one of the highlights was mentoring at the Hackathon “Kick-start your Career with AI” held at the Digital Society Initiative (DSI). This event brought together secondary education students to brainstorm innovative ways in which AI can help them choose their education path. It was inspiring to guide the participants and see their creative ideas in action. You can find more information about this event here.
May
In May I had the opportunity to participate in the Pint of Science Festival, an event that connects researchers with the public in informal settings. My talk, entitled “AI in the Classroom: A New Era in Education” explored the transformative potential of AI in teaching and learning. It was an interesting experience to discuss this timely topic with an audience from outside academia. This experience was a great reminder of the importance of making research accessible and having conversations about the role of technology in shaping education.
June
In June, I attended the SGBF Conference in Locarno, Switzerland, where I had the opportunity to organise a symposium entitled “Artificial Intelligence in Education: Cross perspectives of students and trainee teacher” where I presented my work titled “How does Artificial Intelligence in Education influence the Career Choice of Student Teachers?”. The symposium brought together diverse viewpoints, fostering a rich debate on the role of AI in education and its impact on both learners and future educators. It was a rewarding experience to shape the conversations around such a crucial topic at this event.
July
July was a month of balance as I travelled to Spain to spend time with family and friends. I continued to work on my research papers while enjoying the relaxing atmosphere of the coast. This mix of personal time and productivity helped me to recharge my batteries and make further progress on my PhD.
August
August was full of academic and historical exploration. I attended the EARLI SIG 11 & 13 conference on teaching and teacher education at Oxford University, where I presented my study entitled “What Motivates Prospective Teachers? The Role of AI in Social Improvement”. The conference was an excellent space to share ideas and network with other researchers who are passionate about teacher education.
While in the UK, I visited Bletchley Park in Milton Keynes, the historic site where encrypted codes were cracked during World War II. It was an amazing experience to explore the place where the work of modern computer science and cryptography began.
Back in Zurich, I participated in Teaching Inspiration Week at UZH, presenting our study “AI@UZH: What do our students think? Digital Literacy, AI Buddy, and Virtual University”. This presentation led to interesting discussions about university students’ perspectives on digital tools and AI in education. More about it can be read in this UZH News post.
September
September was a month full of milestones. We organised a Research Hackathon at Digital Society Initiative (DSI), where researchers and students collaborated to tackle challenges at the intersection of AI and education. You can find more information about the research hackathon here and in this post.
At the end of the month, I attended the EARLI SIG 4 & 17 Conference on Higher Education, where we organised a symposium entitled “Aligning Individual and Organisational Developments in Higher Education in the Context of GenAI”. Here I also presented our study “GenAI in Higher Education: Bridging Strategy and Practice with an Empirical Systemic Approach”.
Finally, the publication of my article “What Motivates Future Teachers? The Influence of Artificial Intelligence on Student Teachers’ Career Choice” in the journal Computers and Education: Artificial Intelligence. Seeing my work published online was an incredibly rewarding moment. You can find the paper here.
On a personal note, I also took a short holiday in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, where I could see the tallest building in the world, the Burj Khalifa (828m), and visited the Museum of the Future. Seeing how technology enables living even in the desert was an inspiring reminder of human ingenuity.
October
In October, I travelled to Hong Kong for a research stay at Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK). During this time, I collected data for a comparative study I am currently working on, expanding my research on education and technology in an international context.
Hong Kong was amazing: a city of striking contrasts between East and West, tradition and modernity. I also took a short trip to Shenzhen, a city that felt like a glimpse into the future. Visiting the fifht tallest building of the world, the Ping An Finance Centre (599 meters) and watching the synchronised light show between skyscrapers was a breathtaking experience, embodying the full potential of 21st century innovation.
November
November marked the end of my research stay in Hong Kong, where I finished my work and prepared to return to Zurich. Back home, I focused entirely on writing, devoting my time to advancing my work. It was a productive transitional month, where I moved from collecting data in the field to synthesising and analysing my findings, laying the groundwork for the final stretch of the year.
December
December was a month of connection and celebration. I enjoyed Christmas parties with friends and colleagues, reflecting on the achievements and memories of the past year. I then travelled to Girona (Spain) to spend the holidays with family and friends. From here, surrounded by loved ones, I write this summary of the year, grateful for the experiences, growth and milestones that have made 2024 a year to remember.
Wrapping Up 2024
Looking back, 2024 has been a year full of new opportunities, exciting challenges and unforgettable moments. From advancing my research to presenting at international conferences, travelling to inspiring places and connecting with amazing people, this year has truly been one to remember.
Thank you to all of you who have been part of this journey. As we move into 2025, I look forward to continuing this adventure, with new goals, ideas and experiences on the horizon.
I wish you all a Happy New Year filled with success, joy and inspiration.
0 Comments