Program Overview

Introduction to the SoTL Scholars Program

The SoTL Scholars Program is a comprehensive program designed to support participants in developing their skills in the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL). The program is comprised of six required components, each designed to provide participants with a foundational understanding of SoTL and the tools needed to conceptualize and complete a SoTL project.

Program Requirements

The six required components of the SoTL Scholars Program are:

1. Foundations of SoTL: Participants are required to complete the annual CLT's SoTL Series sessions, which include The Principles of SoTL, The SoTL Process, and Engaging in Ethical SoTL. These sessions provide a foundational understanding of SoTL and the tools needed to conceptualize a SoTL project. (Estimated time: 4.5 hours)
2. Professional Development: Participants are required to attend at least three other CLT's SoTL Series workshops of their choice. These workshops should support the process of collecting, analyzing, and sharing the SoTL project. (Estimated time: 4.5 hours)
3. Conceptualizing and Supporting your Project Through One-on-One Consultations: Participants are required to meet with the Program Administrator at least two times during the completion of their program. These consultations provide one-on-one support during the SoTL process and offer the opportunity to discuss and reflect on the conceptualization of the project and the process of collecting, analyzing, and sharing SoTL data.

• Consults may include:
  • Formulating or exploring a SoTL topic
  • Suggestions on teaching and learning theories, frameworks, and literature
  • Designing a SoTL project
  • Research Ethics Applications
  • Data collection and analysis
  • Opportunities for funding or dissemination
  • Support in writing for publication (Estimated time: 2 hours)

4. Engaging with Peers: Participants are expected to:

• Attend at least four SoTL Brownbag Lunches
• Lead one SoTL Brownbag lunch (Estimated time: 5 hours)

5. Documenting the Process: Participants are required to reflect and document their experience with the SoTL process at two different times:

• Submit a Project Proposal Form to the Program Administrator within their first year
• Submit a SoTL Project Summary and Reflection once they have completed all components of the SoTL Scholars Program (Estimated time: 3 hours)

6. Sharing SoTL: Participants are required to engage in some form of knowledge dissemination on their SoTL project, such as:

• Submitting to a session or workshop proposal at a teaching and learning or disciplinary conference
• Facilitating a workshop on their project
• Submitting a manuscript of their SoTL project to a journal
• Writing a post for the Centre for Learning and Teaching's FOCUS blog

Conclusion

The SoTL Scholars Program is a comprehensive program designed to support participants in developing their skills in the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning. The program provides a foundational understanding of SoTL and the tools needed to conceptualize and complete a SoTL project. By completing the six required components, participants will gain a deeper understanding of SoTL and be able to apply this knowledge in their teaching practices.