9.13 Scholarship of Teaching and Learning - SoTL - Educational Developers Thinking Allowed

Man sits at a desk holding a pencil. There is a pile of books on one side and a lamp on the other. In the middle of the desk is a book that is lit by the lamp and which the man is studying.

Author: Nicola Simmons and Celia Popovic

What is SoTL?

The Scholarship of Teaching and Learning - SoTL - is, in the broadest sense, research into one's own teaching. The term derived from the seminal work of Ernst Boyer in 1990, who defined academic research in four categories. These categories are beyond the requirement to teach and to engage in service, such as attending committees, designing new programs of study and teaching. These categories of scholarship are:

Scholarship of discovery - what might be considered basic research.

Scholarship of integration - synthesis of information across disciplines.

Scholarship of application - applying disciplinary knowledge and methodology beyond the discipline, often beyond the university.

Scholarship of teaching and learning - systematic study of teaching and learning processes.

Boyer argued that the first three types of scholarship are well understood, but the last needs the most attention. He insisted that academics should use the same professional rigour and demand for evidence based decisions when choosing pedagogic approaches, designing courses and supporting students.

Since the publication of 'Scholarship reconsidered: Priorities of the professoriate', the nature, realm and limitations of what SoTL means in practice has been debated and refined.

Boyer, E. L. (1990), Scholarship reconsidered: Priorities of the professoriate. (PDF), Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching

For a recent discussion of SoTL definition and issues with that definition, see

Simmons, N., & Marquis, E. (2017, June). Defining SoTL. The Canadian Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning, 8(2).

See also the excellent resource The SoTL Guide by Nancy Chick

What is the role of Educational Developers in the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL)?

Typically, educational developers support research into teaching and learning at institutions. Support can take many forms, but may include:

Annual teaching and learning focussed conference at the institution, where faculty share their work with colleagues;

Regular seminars and workshops on research methodology, ethics, publication routes;

Guest lectures from beyond the university sharing SoTL work;

Book clubs where faculty discuss SoTL articles;

In depth courses which guide faculty through the design, implementation and dissemination of a research project.

Free Online SoTL ‘How To’ Guides

The following two guides are free online how to SoTL guides. Great resources for those getting started as well as reminders for the more experienced. Both guides provide excellent lists of additional resources.

Elgie, S., Childs, R., Fenton, N. E., Levy, B. A., Lopes, V., Szala-Meneok, K., & Wiggers, R. D. (2012). Researching teaching and student outcomes in postsecondary education: A guide. Toronto, ON: Queen’s Printer for Ontario.

Fenton, N. E., & Szala-Meneok, K. (2010). Research on teaching and learning guidebook. Hamilton, ON: McMaster University Centre for Leadership in Learning.

For papers about different aspects of SoTL and applications and issues, including student engagement, contingent faculty, leadership, quality assurance, a college SoTL framework, Francophone SoTL in Canada, and educational development, see this special issue of the journal:

Simmons, N., & Marquis, E. (Eds.),(2017). The Canadian Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning, 8(2).

This infographic demonstrates The Dos and Don'ts of SoTL Research Ethics.

Involving Students

Peter Felten writes about including students as partners in SoTL work.

Felton, P. (2013). Principles of good practice in SoTL. Teaching and Learning Inquiry" The ISSOTL Journal 1(1), 121 - 125