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 advancing 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 cohort-based teaching and learning community. 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
Proposals are now being accepted for ISU faculty participation in the CELT SoTL Scholars Program. 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:
- To improve teaching and learning in the classroom,
- Advance SoTL practice through peer-reviewed presentations and publications, and
- Facilitate a network of scholars that continually discuss and improve the teaching profession
Eligibility: Any faculty member at Iowa State University (tenured, tenure-eligible, term, staff member with teaching appointment) may apply to 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: A SoTL Scholars Meet and Greet session will be arranged in late spring and a SoTL Scholars Kickoff session will be arranged for early fall 2022. Once-a-month participation in this program is required during the fall and spring semesters. Several individual meetings will also occur depending upon project development. Participants will conduct their classroom-based research project during the 2022-2023 academic year. It is anticipated that participants will share their work at a future CELT-sponsored event.
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, and
- Share their experience with others interested in SoTL at ISU and beyond
Questions: If you have any questions regarding the SoTL Scholars Program, please contact Cynthia Haynes at chaynes@iastate.edu
Application
Requirements: Applicants will be asked to apply via CELT’s SoTL Scholars Program Application Qualtrics webform by providing:
- A 2-page condensed vita (CV) for each investigator
- Responses to the following questions:
- Course/proposed course involved.
- What aspect of student learning and/or your teaching do you want to investigate?
- How will you benefit from this experience?
- How will your students benefit from this experience?
Application Process: Applications for the 2022-23 academic year are due on April 15, 2022. Notification of your applicant status will occur by April 30, 2022.
To apply, use the CELT’s SoTL Scholars Program Application Qualtrics web form or click on the button below.
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 Cynthia Haynes at chaynes@iastate.edu or email celt@iastate.edu.