Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) Scholars Program
The scholarship of teaching and learning (SoTL) involves faculty framing and systematically investigating questions related to student learning to improve their classroom and advance practice beyond it. SoTL ultimately improves student learning through scholarly inquiry into teaching and learning processes and includes sharing results so others can review, critique, and build on the work. The Faculty Handbook covers SoTL under Promotion and Tenure Evaluation and Review (section 5.2.2.3.2).
The SoTL Scholars Program is a vibrant learning community of ISU instructors dedicated to improving teaching and learning in the classroom. The SoTL Scholars community welcomes SoTL experts and novices alike. It is a year-long experience focused on writing research questions for classroom-based research, implementing quantitative and qualitative assessment techniques, and articulating the types of evidence used to help answer SoTL research questions. SoTL is a valued form of scholarship at Iowa State University, as it involves systematically investigating questions related to student learning to improve student learning and advance practice beyond it through peer-reviewed presentations and publications.
About
The scholarship of teaching and learning (SoTL) involves faculty framing and systematically investigating questions related to student learning. The goals of the SoTL Scholars program are:
Goals:
- Expose faculty of all ranks to SoTL, especially term faculty and assistant professors
- Guide faculty through major components of the SoTL process
- Inspire SoTL research and collaboration by networking with colleagues at ISU
Eligibility: Any faculty member at Iowa State University (tenured, tenure-eligible, term, staff member with teaching appointment) may be a SoTL scholar.
Purpose: The purpose of the SoTL Scholars Program is the development of a SoTL project. The year-long experience will focus on writing research questions for classroom-based research, quantitative and qualitative assessment techniques, and the types of evidence used to help answer SoTL research questions. Faculty participants receive guidance from the SoTL Faculty Fellow and fellow SoTL Scholars program participants.
Scheduled Activities:
- October 10, SoTL: Benefits & Beginnings
- October 31, Designing SoTL Research: Idea to Data
- November 28, IRB and SoTL: What You Need to Know
- February 13, SoTL Champions Panel
- February 27, Going Public and Next Steps
Tangible Outcomes: SoTL Scholars will be guided in conducting research in teaching and learning in their classroom so that they will:
- Gain confidence to complete this and other future SoTL projects
- Present the results of these projects to their peers
- Add to the body of knowledge in teaching and learning in their discipline
- Share their experience with others interested in SoTL at ISU and beyond
Additional Resources
Download the CELT Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Action Plan (PDF)
Questions
If you have any questions regarding the SoTL Scholars Program, please contact Paul Hengesteg at paulh@iastate.edu, or email celt@iastate.edu.