Please answer the following questions before the session on the notepad at your table and turn in to the presenter (Mark)

1. How familiar are you with organizations and publications in your discipline that focus on the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning?

Not Familiar 1 – 2 – 3 – 4 – 5 Very Familiar

2. What organizations or publications in your discipline focus on the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning

3. What web sites do you visit to find out about the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning

Helping College Teachers Explore and Publish in the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning

Merlot Conference 2004Mark McCallon

Abilene Christian University

Introduction – Abilene Christian University

• Private master’s level university

• Enrollment of 4,700

• Approximately 200 faculty

• Strong teaching focus with research requirement

Beginnings… (1998-1999)

• Joined AAHE’s Campus Conversations (now called Campus Program)

• Met with academic departments to develop a definition of SOTL for the institution

Definition of Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (for Institution)

• The Scholarship of teaching is public discourse conceptualizing teaching.

• The scholarship of teaching and learning opens the classroom door and creates a culture that values teaching. Like traditional research, it is made public, subjected to peer review and used by other members of the scholarly community.

Results of Faculty Discussions (1998-1999)

• Faculty have a heavy teaching load and have limited opportunity for research

• Faculty were not motivated or trained in the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning

SOTL Workshops (2000-2001)

• Dr. Samuel Thompson - Indiana University – Bloomington– From Coffee Conversation to Scholarly Products

• Dr. Laurie Richlin – Claremont Graduate University– Video Conference to assist ACU Scholars with

SOTL

Teaching Learning/Scholars Program

• One-Year Commitment• Monthly training opportunities

• Training in how to design and complete SOTL projects

• Support and interaction with faculty who share interest in SOTL

• $200 stipend for materials and research• Feedback from mentor program of

Teaching/Learning Scholars

Library’s Role in the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning

Publishing in Scholarship of Teaching and Learning

From the ACU SOTL Web Site:

• The Scholarship of Teaching is public discourse conceptualizing teaching

• Public is making our work accessible to others for critical review and use.

• Discourse includes such varied contexts as curriculum committees, faculty development presentations, Web publications, teaching portfolios, or journal articles.

Publishing in Scholarship of Teaching and Learning

• What is the Dilemma facing faculty?

“Across the board, the professoriate is sadly unaware of the literature on teaching and learning”

Richlin and Cox (1991, p.6)

Consult Choose & Apply Conduct Document Analyze ObtainLiterature an intervention Systematic Observations Results Peer Observation Evaluation

Add to Base

Disseminate Submit Prepare Place into Synthesize IdentifyPublish for Peer Manuscript Context of Results KeyPresent Review Knowledge Issues

Knowledge Base of Teaching & Learning in Higher Education

ONGOING CYCLE OF SCHOLARLY TEACHING & THE SCHOLARSHIP OF TEACHING

(RICHLIN, 2000)

Consult Choose & Apply Conduct Document Analyze ObtainLiterature an intervention Systematic Observations Results Peer Observation Evaluation

add to

Disseminate Submit Prepare Place into Synthesize IdentifyPublish for Peer Manuscript Context of Results KeyPresent Review Knowledge Issues

Base

Knowledge Base of Teaching & Learning in Higher Education

ONGOING CYCLE OF SCHOLARLY TEACHING & THE SCHOLARSHIP OF TEACHING

(RICHLIN, 2000)

Laying the groundwork for publishing in the Scholarship of

Teaching and Learning

Myths about Research in the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning

• Research on issues of pedagogy is not of practical help to college faculty members and institutions

• The sharing of one’s teaching practices is not viewed highly by professionals on a national and international basis.

• Disciplinary research is the only legitimate model of scholarship among college faculty.

• Journals focused on teaching and learning are generally weak, less reputable and of lower quality than disciplinary research journals.

Characteristics of Journals focused on Teaching and

Learning• Many focus on methods and techniques of

teaching

• In some cases, the journal does not specialize in higher education

• Articles can be cross-disciplinary in nature

Preparation of Bibliography of Journals on SOTL

http://www.acu.edu/~library/sotl.html

Purpose

• Provide a list of venues for ACU SOTL scholars to publish pedagogical research

• To provide a list of resources for scholars to research and find out what others have done pertaining to the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning

• To increase the visibility of SOTL among faculty and researchers

Results

• Over 380 journals listed

• Web sites found for over 240

• Available circulation (subscriber) statistics range from 150 up to over 200,000

• Over 40 subject areas represented

Future of the Bibliography

• Provide opportunity for faculty to add journals as needed

• Receive help from faculty on adding other venues for publishing SOTL (conferences, workshops, etc.)

• Make faculty members aware of the journals that are available for them in their research and for publication.