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Getting Started in the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning. Bill Buskist Auburn University buskiwf@auburn.edu September 2014. Today ’ s Goals. . .To. Define and describe SoTL and to provide a brief overview of SoTL history Help you create an idea for your own SoTL research
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Getting Started in the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Bill Buskist Auburn University buskiwf@auburn.edu September 2014
Today’s Goals. . .To • Define and describe SoTL and to provide a brief overview of SoTL history • Help you create an idea for your own SoTL research • If we have time, we will work on an outline for carrying out your project~
SoTL is… • Research that investigates the variables, factors, and contexts that influence teaching and learning with an emphasis on understanding and improving both • This research is shared with others through presentations and publications~
Three (of Many) Benefits of SoTL • Directly addresses a question of interest about your teaching and students’ learning • Enhances your teaching and your students’ learning and the overall quality of a Arkansas Tech education • Provides an opportunity for you to publish and present scholarly research~
A Small (Very Small)Bit of History • 1990-Present • SoTL was first known only as the “scholarship of teaching” • SoTL became “SoTL” later as the Carnegie Foundation promoted scholarly inquiry into the work of the professoriate~
1990: Scholarship Reconsidered 1997: Scholarship Assessed 2011: Scholarship of Teaching & Learning Reconsidered
An Example of SoTL • Developing a new “system” of teaching~
Interteaching • Initial research conducted by Bryan Saville (James Madison U.) • Was Not Happy with Either Class Performance or Level of Student Engagement Saville, B. K., & Zinn, T. E. (2012). Interteaching. In W. Buskist & J. E. Groccia (Eds.) . Evidence-based teaching. New Directions in Teaching and Learning, No. 128. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.
Interteaching—Components • Instructor-produced “prep” guides • (active learning component) • In class, students form discussion pairs to discuss the prep guide questions • (active learning component) • Students complete interteaching record sheets • Teacher provides short “clarifying” lectures • Students complete “probes” and take traditional quizzes/tests~
Interteaching—Research Results • Studies have been performed comparing interteaching classes to traditional lecture classes and by alternating interteaching and lecture • Students perform better (up to a full letter grade) relative to traditional lecture methods on measures of objective exam performance, writing, and critical thinking • Students show enhanced enjoyment of learning in interteaching~
A Sample of Possible SoTL Topics for Study… • Textbook Use • Use of Text Pedagogy • Note Taking Habits • New Demonstrations • New Pedagogy • Incivility • Use of Technology • Critical Thinking Skills • Assessment Tools (Lrn) • Assessment Tools (Tch) • Generating Discussion • Help Session Effects • Classroom Design • Course Design~
A Common Dependent Measure • Some aspect of student learning—how does X change achievement of student learning outcomes? • This idea is central to MOST, but not ALL, SoTL projects~
The Workshop Begins:Doing SoTL • The Process: • Identifying a Problem/Question • Studying Related Research • Creating a Research Design • Preparing/Submitting IRB • Conducting the Research • Analyzing the Results • Sharing the Study Publically (Presenting/Publishing)~
Identifying a Problem or Question for SoTL Work • See p. 2 of work sheet. • At your table, break into pods of 2-3 people and discuss some of the ideas listed on p. 2 • Any of these ideas seem applicable to you? • Can you think of other ideas to add to this list? • Take 3-4 minutes for discussion and sharing~
Identifying a Problem or Question for SoTL Work • See p. 3 of work sheet • Take 5-6 minutes to complete this page • Offer a descriptive title and a few details about any issues you would like to explore as a potential SoTL research project~
Going a Bit Deeper:A Methodology Primer • SoTL generally involves two types of research strategies: • Survey • Experimental manipulation
Going a Bit Deeper:A Methodology Primer • Surveys are aimed at gathering descriptions of student study habits, patterns, attitudes, and perceptions about education and learning • Composed of Likert-type questions or open-ended questions • Often correlated to some sort of learning outcome (e.g., test score, final grade)~
Going a Bit Deeper:A Methodology Primer • Some aspect of the learning environment is manipulated (IV); some aspect of student behavior/output is measured (DV) • Comparisons can be made across classes or within participants~
Back to Work—Design Your Study • Any ideas for how you might develop your idea into actual research? • See pp. 4-6 of handouts~