Teachers’ perceptions about online teaching: Analysis of their experiences and opportunities for knowledge sharing

• Online teaching proliferates, yet it is unknown how teachers experience this. • Teachers face challenges like loss of informal connections and student engagement. • Autonomy combined with institutional and technical support, aids online teaching. • A positive climate and opportunities for knowledge sharing improve experiences. • Activities and tools that facilitate informal connections were identified. This study investigates teachers' experiences and perspectives on online education to enhance teachers’ wellbeing across the globe. Through interviews and focus groups with university teachers, positive aspects such as increased efficiency and creative opportunities were found. Simultaneously, challenges of online teaching were identified, such as declining student engagement, shifts in teacher identity, and weakened informal connections with students. Job resources in online teaching include knowledge exchange, autonomy and support, whereas job demands encompass time constraints and students’ dissatisfaction. Creating informal moments and establishing a knowledge-sharing infrastructure are conducive to teachers’ well-being in online education.