Scholarship of Teaching and Learning

Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) is an inquiry to understand or improve student learning and the teaching practices that affect student learning. SoTL is informed by relevant research on teaching and learning and is conducted by members of educational communities who draw from their disciplinary expertise in gathering and analyzing relevant evidence from the learners in their own specific contexts.  

SoTL aims to bring a scholarly lens to what happens in the learning environment; scholarship is then shared broadly to contribute to the knowledge and practice of post-secondary teaching and learning.  

Where to start?  

A good place to start to learn about what the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning entails is by referring to the article written by Peter Felten titled “Principles of Good Practice in SoTL.”  

Designing a successful SoTL Project 

Follow the step-by-step process while consulting the relevant resources, linked in headings, to help you to develop a SoTL project. 

• Getting Started  

This webpage outlines the basic steps involved in conducting SoTL research, such as identifying a research question, selecting a research design, collecting and analyzing data, and disseminating findings. It offers suggestions for how faculty can identify a research question that is both relevant to their teaching and feasible given their time and resources. 

• Conducting a Literature Review  

This webpage discusses the importance of conducting a literature review in SoTL research and provides guidance on how to do so effectively. It can help you identify a clear research question and to select appropriate databases, keywords, and search terms to locate relevant literature. You can also get detailed instructions on how to read, analyze, and synthesize the literature, as well as advice on how to organize and present the findings.  

• Annotated SoTL literature database https://researchsotl.wordpress.com/ provides a comprehensive database of peer-reviewed articles and books related to SoTL research. The database is searchable by keywords, authors, and topics, making it easy for you to find relevant literature that can inform your research questions and design. 
• Discipline specific SoTL journals: https://libguides.mcmaster.ca/c.php?g=721211&p=5156438 provides a curated list of discipline-specific journals that publish SoTL research. You can use these journals as a guide to identify the types of research questions and methodologies that are common in your discipline. 

• Doing SoTL Ethically  

This webpage discusses ethical considerations in SoTL research, such as obtaining informed consent from participants, protecting their confidentiality and anonymity, and ensuring that the research does not harm participants or compromise their learning. You’ll also find guidance on how to navigate ethical challenges that may arise during the research process. 

• Identifying Evidence  

This webpage discusses the importance of gathering evidence in SoTL research and provides guidance on selecting appropriate methods for collecting data. You can identify how to align your research questions with your teaching goals and to select methods that are both feasible and appropriate for your disciplinary context. You may also find examples of different methods, such as surveys, interviews, observation, and reflective journals, and some advice on how to analyze and interpret the data. 

• Planning the Project Design 

This webpage discusses the importance of planning a SoTL research project and provides an overall guidance on how to design a project that is both feasible and rigorous. You can get detailed instructions on how to design a study that is both ethical and relevant to your teaching and learning context. 

• Analyzing Data 

Considering the multidisciplinary nature of SoTL research, this webpage provides detailed instructions on how to analyze quantitative and qualitative data, including advice on coding, statistical analysis, and data visualization. 

• Going Public 

This webpage discusses the importance of disseminating SoTL research findings and provides guidance on how to do so effectively. You may identify appropriate audiences and select dissemination strategies that align with your goals and audiences. The webpage provides detailed instructions on how to write and publish scholarly articles, present at conferences, create posters, and use social media to share findings. 

• SoTL Journals 

  SoTL Journals Database: https://guides.lib.uconn.edu/sotl/journals  

• Blog 

  The SoTL Advocate: https://illinoisstateuniversitysotl.wordpress.com/ 

• Teaching and Learning Conferences 

  Teaching Conferences database: https://facultydevelopment.kennesaw.edu/scholarly-teaching/conferences/index.php 

• Considering Quality 

This webpage discusses the importance of ensuring the quality of SoTL research and provides guidance on how to do so effectively. This may help you establish clear criteria for evaluating the quality of your research, such as the relevance, rigor, and transparency of the research process. The webpage provides detailed instructions on how to use peer review, self-assessment, and external evaluation to improve the quality of SoTL research. 

Additional Resource 

Comprehensive guidebook for Pedagogical Research 

McMaster University SoTL Guide:http://cll.mcmaster.ca/resources/pdf/redo_guidebook.pdf 

We can help!  

If you would like to book a consultation or need support regarding SoTL research, please book a consultation with the LLI - lli@lums.edu.pk