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).
Engaging with SoTL as a Lecturer (Teaching) can contribute to what we might call your ‘authority to teach’ (your expertise in teaching and learning) as well as offering energising and inspiring ways to enhance your own practice.
You are also likely to be involved collecting evidence about teaching and learning in your department through mechanisms such as module evaluations, the Course Enhancement and Quality Monitoring (CEQM) process, or observations of teaching practice. All these activities help ensure we respond to student feedback, evaluate our teaching practices, and develop in a scholarly way.
Essential Background
- 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, or find them in your Aula course space. 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.
- As a member of teaching staff, you are likely to be involved in the CEQM process, though the extent may vary. Familiarise yourself with the guidance documents here
- Get involved in the Active Learning Community of Practice, or other communities of practice, either local or nationally.
Take it further
- 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.
- 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, we 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.
- AEPD’s 2023 Apprenticeship conference enabled practice sharing for the emerging area of degree apprenticeships. The keynote from Jonathan Lawson explored the apprenticeship journey at Manchester Metropolitan University. You can watch a recording here (39 mins, Coventry Login required)
Try it out!
- Go to JiscMail to 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!
- You school or department may have a journal club; discussing SoTL publications is a great way to develop your practice and form communities. If you don’t have a journal club and would like support in setting one up, get in touch with AEPD.
- Speak with your line manager about support to attend external events such as practice sharing sessions, masterclasses, or conferences.