Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL)

What is SoTL?

You tried a new pedagogical approach and it seemed to work! Maybe you are thinking of implementing a change to your assessments and/or activities and would like to know the impact? If you were to study these changes, you would be engaging in the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL), which is research focused on teaching and learning and which invites you to systematically examine your classroom practices, improve your teaching based on your findings, and share your results with your colleagues here at Temple and across academia.

The Center for the Advancement of Teaching can help you reflect upon how and why you might want to design and implement a SoTL project in your class and guide you along the way.

Here is a guide to help you get started with your SoTL project

SoTL Programming

SoTL Consultations

We invite you to take advantage of our one-on-one SoTL consultation service that provides in-depth and personalized guidance for your teaching and learning research, advice on what steps to take to get your work underway, and support constructing and submitting the necessary materials to carry out your project. 

Book a virtual or in-person consultation with us today. If you cannot use the scheduling app or do not see a consultation time available that suits your schedule, please email cat@temple.edu or call 215.204.8761 for assistance.

SoTL Circles

Join one of our SoTL Circles, which are for both beginners wanting to take their first step into teaching and learning research and for those aiming to hone their existing scholarly skills. In these 12-part, cohort-based initiatives, you and your Circle colleagues will have the opportunity to learn from CAT staff how to design a SoTL study from start to finish. In addition, you will learn about the process of seeking university approval so you may carry out your SoTL project.  

We offer SoTL Circles across the year. In the fall, we run in-person, customized Circles for specific colleges/schools (please contact us if you are interested in establishing an ongoing partnership in this capacity). In the spring, we host an in-person Circle that is open to all faculty from across the university. We offer another interdisciplinary SoTL Circle in the summer that is hosted synchronously online.  

Browse current and future SoTL programming. If you need assistance registering, please email cat@temple.edu or call 215.204.8761 for support.

SoTL Café

Seeking more structure for your scholarly pursuits and/or looking to collaborate with colleagues from across the university who can help you with your educational research projects? If so, join us at our monthly SoTL Café that provides a dedicated space for you to work on your scholarship with support from the CAT.

While there is no registration required for the Café, browse our current and future Café dates/times. If you need assistance, please email cat@temple.edu or call 215.204.8761 for support.

Other SoTL Programming

In addition to consultations, Circles, and the Café, we provide a range of SoTL focused workshops and book groups. These additional special-topic offerings aim to meet current SoTL needs and look to address contemporary issues that may influence educational scholarship.  

Browse current and future SoTL programming. If you need assistance registering, please email cat@temple.edu or call 215.204.8761 for support.

Custom SoTL Programming

If you have an idea for a SoTL workshop for your department, college or unit, you can work with the CAT to develop programming that serves your needs. To request a custom workshop, please complete this form. A CAT staff member will reach out to you to initiate the planning process. Because custom workshops are designed to align with your specific requirements, planning time is required before workshop delivery, which varies depending on the time of year. Even if you haven’t yet determined a specific date for the workshop you are requesting, let’s start the conversation so we can best serve you.

SoTL FAQ

A Guide to SoTL Success

SoTL Roadmap PDF

WHY might I want to do a SoTL project?

  • It can be an opportunity to systematically reflect upon and assess your instructional actions. 
  • It can help guide your pedagogical decisions.
  • It can improve your teaching and your students’ learning.
  • It can be a learning opportunity for your students.
  • It can help other educators implement more effective teaching practices.

WHAT else do I need to know about this type of scholarship?

Determining if your SoTL project is human subjects research (Definition of Human Subjects Research), completing the necessary ethics trainings (IRB Trainings and Resources | Office of the Vice President for Research),  and navigating the IRB submission process may be a bit tricky. To assist, the CAT and Temple’s IRB created a protocol by which the CAT can review and approve teaching and learning focused research conducted here at Temple. Please see our Umbrella IRB web page for more information.

WHERE can I publish my SoTL project?

WHAT resources can help me get started?

*Some content for this page sourced from these publications.

WHAT are some examples of SoTL Projects?

 

How can I get my SoTL poster printed?

CAT poster printing services are available to Temple University faculty and staff on a first come-first-serve basis. Printing requests take up to 3-5 business days to process from the date of submission. To request this service, complete the following online Poster Printing Request Form in its entirety, including accurate FOAPAL information where applicable.

 

You will receive a confirmation email when your request is submitted and another when your poster has been printed and is ready for pickup. Posters can be picked up at one of two locations:

 

Main Campus EdTech Lab

TECH Center, Room 110

Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5:00pm

Since posters are not printed at this location, orders are generally available Wednesdays after 3pm following the 3-5 business day window mentioned above.

 

Health Sciences Campus EdTech Lab

Student Faculty Center, Room 200

Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, 8:30am-5:00pm

Wednesdays, 8:30-12:30am

 

For more detailed guidelines on procedures for printing a poster, including poster formatting and how to pay, please read the Poster Printing Policies and Procedures. If you have any further questions regarding the Poster Printing format or procedure, please contact , call the CAT’s Educational Tech Lab at (215) 204-8761, or visit any ETL location.

Where can I get support?

The CAT is here for you every step of the way! Please reach out to us by emailing Benjamin Brock at  or schedule a research consultation.