SoTL

​The Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) is a growing movement in higher education as expressed in the vision of The Society of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education (STLHE) and the International Society for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (ISSOTL).
​The Lethbridge College Scholarly Activity Policy defines SoTL as: ​
“the systematic study of teaching and learning with a focus on improving student learning. It is an evidence-based process that enables use of various research methodologies with outcomes that can be applied to learning environments. This work focuses on conducting research, developing results for peer review, and publicly disseminating the research outcomes so others can learn from them and build upon them.” ​
​Potter and Kustra (2011) describe the goal of a SoTL study as follows: ​
​“…the goal of the [SoTL] study is either a better understanding of how teaching (beliefs, behaviours, attitudes, and values) can maximize learning, and/or a more accurate understanding of learning” (p. 3.)

SoTL Principles

​Distinguishing SoTL from other types of research isn't always easy. Peter Felten (2013) offers five principles to be used as "guideposts" for researchers engaging in the scholarship of teaching and learning (SoTL). ​

These principles include:

1.
INQUIRY INTO STUDENT LEARNING

2.
GROUNDED IN CONTEXT

3.
METHODOLOGICALLY SOUND

4.
CONDUCTED IN PARTNERSHIP
​WITH STUDENTS

5.
APPROPRIATELY PUBLIC
Read the full article, Principles of Good Practice in SoTL by Peter Felten.

SoTL and the Comprehensive Institutional Plan (CIP)

​Lethbridge College is committed to advancing Scholarly Activities, Applied Research, and the Scholarship of Teaching. This commitment - which recognizes that scholarship can take many forms - is described in the 2018-2021 Comprehensive Institutional Plan (pp. 12-14) and through institutional policies and procedures, see below. ​

CIP Overarching Goal

​"Provide relevant, high quality education through excellence in teaching and learning, applied research, strategic enrolment management and collaborative partnerships."

Goals
  • Provide opportunities for students and employees to engage in scholarly activity and applied research that will support the academic vision, contribute to the local community and industry while enhancing student experiential learning.
    ​
  • Goal 2: Build a culture of Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) by embracing multi-faceted activities involving the creation, integration and dissemination of knowledge, research skill development and faculty capacity building. 

Expected Outcomes
  • Scholarship will be supported as a means to enhance professional development, share knowledge and strengthen our academic capabilities regionally, nationally and internationally.
    ​
  • Applied research and SoTL will be integrated into teaching and learning activities through experiential learning and skills development which meet teaching, industry and community needs. 

References

Potter, M. K., & Kustra, E. D. (2011). The relationship between scholarly teaching and SoTL: Models, distinctions, and clarifications. International Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning, 5(1), 23.
Lethbridge College (2018). Scholarly activity policy [Draft]. Lethbridge College.
Lethbridge College. (2017). Lethbridge College Comprehensive Institutional Plan. 2017-2020. Retrieved from https://lethbridgecollege.ca/document-centre/publications/comprehensive-institutional-plans.