Teaching, learning and assessment practices should be scholarly- and informed by evidence. This is the starting point for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL). As educators, we can support this ethos by evaluating our own practice- for example, by asking students for feedback, or getting involved in teaching observations (whether as an observer, or being observed).
Assistant Lecturers (Teaching) can also usefully start to engage with scholarly sources around pedagogic theories and learning strategies. It is useful to see examples of how the outcomes of evaluations and experiences, supported by scholarship, are shared in various forums, allowing staff to develop their own SoTL profile and gain professional recognition such as AdvanceHE accreditation
Essential Background
- This video (7:48) from the Center for Engaged Learning at Elon University (USA) offers some useful insights into what SoTL is all about and how we can incorporate it into our teaching.
- Student surveys are one of the key ways we evaluate our practice. You can find out more about our surveys including module evaluation questionnaires (MEQs) and postgraduate surveys at the Student Survey portal
- Responses to MEQs follow a standard “You said, we did” format. Ask your line manager or course team for recent ‘You said, we did’ responses- what are some of the changes that have been made?
Getting Started
- Take a look at the web pages introducing Coventry University Group’s established teaching observation scheme, and opportunities to gain AdvanceHE recognition via the institution.
- Sign up to attend one of AEPD’s nano conferences. Offered each semester, these online events include a series of short (15 minute) presentations in which staff and students share scholarly practice. You can also browse recordings of previous conferences.
Take it Further
- The sharing practice section of the AEPD website includes links to numerous resources and case studies in which staff from across the University group have engaged in SoTL activities. If you have an idea for a case study, AEPD want to hear from you!
- Explore other networks of scholarly practice. JiscMAIL is a good starting point to find mailing lists for practice in your discipline.
- Get involved in Coventry University Group’s Active Learning Community of Practice.
Try it Out!
- Search JiscMAILto find a mailing list in your discipline. Browse a few of the posts and see if you want to sign up for a digest or newsletter. If the options are overwhelming, the mailing list for SEDA (The Staff and Educational Development Association) might be a good place to start!
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