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Scholarship of Teaching and Learning

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Defining the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning

While universities may use varying definitions, they generally agree on the overall goal of the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL, pronounced “soe-tull”, rhyming with “total”): to improve pedagogical practices and student outcomes. These ideas were significantly influenced by Bass (1999) in his seminal article, where he reframed teaching challenges as scholarly “problems” to investigate. 

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At TIIP, we define SoTL as “a comprehensive and systematic approach to investigating, improving, and sharing knowledge about teaching and learning in higher education.” It encompasses: 

  1. Rigorous inquiry into teaching and learning processes across disciplines. 
  2. Applying evidence-based practices to enhance student learning outcomes. 
  3. Collecting and analyzing data on teaching effectiveness and student achievement. 
  4. Reflecting critically on pedagogical approaches and their impact on diverse learners. 
  5. Sharing findings widely to advance understanding of effective teaching in higher education. 

A diagram highlighting different areas of educational research, with "Teaching as Research" in red

The Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) embraces diverse methodologies, from discipline-based education research to action research, unified by a shared commitment to transforming teaching and learning through evidence-based, systematic inquiry. This holistic approach fosters a culture of continuous improvement in higher education, where insights from various fields inform pedagogical innovations and the science of learning enriches teaching practices across disciplines. 

To learn more about the differences between these methodologies, you can visit this website to examine SoTL vs. DBER, this website to understand SoTL vs. TAR, and this website to consider the overlap with SoEd. 

Interested in Getting More Involved in SoTL?  

All faculty members and graduate students at Rutgers New Brunswick, regardless of their rank or appointment, are invited to become part of our community.  

To explore ways to join in, please reach out to Crystal Quillen, Assistant Director for Teaching & Learning Scholarship, to arrange a consultation.