SoTL is iterative, systematic inquiry into processes of student learning and experience in your course with the goal of improving those processes. SoTL is conducted by faculty in any discipline and is informed by the broader literature on teaching and student learning in higher education.
SoTL engagement produces shareable, often peer-reviewed evidence of teaching and learning that serve as foundations for scholarly discussion, critique, and further inquiry (Felten, 2013). SoTL products may include conference presentations, online publications in professional organizations, open educational resources, and peer-reviewed publications on teaching.
How does SoTL benefit you?
Each person finds their own “why” for SoTL, but here’s what we head from faculty around campus:
- Step out of the mundane aspects of teaching into the bigger picture of why we do what we do
- Generates creativity, innovation and new ideas for my teaching
- Helps me more deeply understand my students’ worldview and experiences in order toto improve my teaching
- Have my voice and ideas on teaching heard and valued by other teacher-scholars
- Build a teaching community of other teacher-scholars at UMass (and potentially beyond)
- Bring a more systematic representation of student voices and perspectives into discussions of teaching and learning at UMass
- Produce evidence of student learning and my teaching effectiveness
- Foster deeper connections, partnerships with students, particularly those under-represented or minoritized on our campus
- Share my scholarly work to benefit local teaching community (department, UMass, etc.)
Hear from SoTL Scholars
In this 13-minute video, renowned SoTL scholars discuss key characteristics of and ways to approach research on teaching and learning, including the syllabus as a “hypothesis” [0:13], how to bring your habits and skills as scholars into your teaching [2:04], the difference between educational research and SoTL [7:43], and the impact of SoTL on faculty [11:54].
Get Involved with UMass SoTL Learning Communities
SoTL Working Group
Started in Fall 2021, an interdisciplinary faculty learning community called the SOTL Working Group meets to talk about issues in SoTL and to support each other in developing project ideas. Join the SoTL Working Group listserv to get meeting reminders and extra notices on upcoming SoTL conferences, calls for proposals, and events.
Collaborative SoTL Scholars
The Collaborative SoTL Scholars program is intended for tenure- and non-tenure-track faculty interested in working together to improve their teaching through inquiry and research, regardless of prior experience with scholarship on teaching and learning. No prior experience with SoTL necessary. Read more about the Collaborative SoTL Scholars.
SoTL Professional Development Award
The SoTL Professional Development Award for faculty offers faculty $500 to attend or present at teaching conferences.
References
Felten, P. (2013). Principles of Good Practice in SoTL. Teaching & Learning Inquiry: The ISSOTL Journal, 1(1), 121–125. https://doi.org/10.2979/teachlearninqu.1.1.121