What is SoTL?

Definition

Scholarship of teaching and learning (SoTL) is defined as the systematic study of teaching and/or learning and the dissemination of such work through presentations, performance, or publications. SoTL benefits both educators and learners with its purpose to improve learning by implementing optimized teaching practices based on research and evidence to support changes in practice.

reflective, scholarly

According to Peter Felton (2013), SoTL involves the following good practices: a) SoTL inquiry is focused on student learning; b) SoTL research is grounded in context; c) the research is methodologically sound; d) research is conducted in partnership with students; and, e) the research is made appropriately public.

Application

Types of inquiries and questions

What works? What evidence is there for the effectiveness of the approach, tool, invention, etc. that you are exploring?
What is? Can you describe the features of the particular approach, student experience, or learning dynamic you are interested in? How do students learn?
What could be? What are some goals for teaching and learning in the university environment? In your classroom?
What's underneath? What shapes our thoughts about teaching practice?

(Toronto Metropolitan University Library, 2021)

Steps

Identify the research question

- - What questions do you have about your practice? Identify a question that is meaningful to you, and one that can be answered based on the available resources.
  - How does your question fit within the existing body of literature?

Design the study

- - Determine which approach will help you to answer your research question (quantitative, qualitative, mixed methods).
  - What will you collect as data? What methods will you use?
  - Do you need approval from the Research Ethics Board?