Pedagogical Scholarship and SOTL Johnson Center Thursday lunch Kelly Reed, Brett Boessen, Randi Tanglen March 31, 2017

Pedagogical Scholarship Published writing and research on teaching and learning by college faculty in fields other than education. (Source: “Pedagogical Scholarship: A Primer,” Maryellen Weimer, Penn State Berks) Goal: To improve student learning by strengthening the practice of teaching (one’s own and others’). (Source: Vanderbilt University, Center for Teaching) Assumption: In our work as scholars/teachers, we create learning as much as/as well as new knowledge. Can be published in: discipline-based pedagogical journals cross-disciplinary pedagogical journals special topic journals (watch for CFPs) non-journal periodicals (magazines, newsletters, blogs, series) published book series and edited collections (Source: “Pedagogical Scholarship: A Primer,” Maryellen Weimer, Penn State Berks)

Types of projects Experience and theory based: Source: “Pedagogical Scholarship: A Primer,” Maryellen Weimer, Penn State Berks Experience and theory based: Personal accounts of change Recommended practices Recommended content Personal narratives Research based: Quantitative investigations Qualitative studies Descriptive research A project that “begins with intellectual curiosity, is conducted deliberately and systematically, is grounded in an analysis of some evidence, and results in findings shared with peers to be reviewed and to expand a knowledge base.” (Source: Vanderbilt University, Center for Teaching)

Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Source: Vanderbilt University, Center for Teaching Asking meaningful questions about student learning and about the teaching activities designed to facilitate student learning; answering those questions by first making relevant student learning visible as evidence of thinking and learning (or mis-learning), and then systematically analyzing this evidence; and, sharing the results of that analysis publicly to invite review and to contribute to the body of knowledge on student learning in a variety of contexts.

Johnson Center Support?: Possible Programs Faculty learning community Faculty meet over a period time to learn more about pedagogical research and SoTL Find examples of articles and publication venues in discipline Purpose: Education and support Summer writing group Faculty meet weekly during summer for writing updates Possibly read/workshop drafts Purpose: Accountability and support A group that does both Speaker/consultant to help faculty design research/writing projects and carry them through to completion

Resources Pedagogical Scholarship: A Primer, Maryellen Weimer, Professor of Teaching and Learning, Penn State Berks Understanding SoTL, Vanderbilt, Center for Teaching Kinds of SoTL Projects, University of Central Florida, Faculty Center for Teaching and Learning Doing SoTL, Vanderbilt University, Center for Teaching SoTL Assessment Instruments, Department of Psychology, Grinnell College Teaching Journals Directory, Kennesaw State University, Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning