Engage – SoTL – Victoria Workman

A response to the Engage with SoTL Activity
created by Victoria Workman (@Victoria Workman)

Number of views: 191

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1PSF4xEPrLkezoeS7G9umHOAC3hyLsT0-qxIunfteGds/edit#

Victoria Workman
3 key characteristics that resonate for my teaching practice are:
1. SoTL is systematic and a “process”. Gary Poole mentioned that the process undertaken in SoTL might very well be as valuable as the outcome. This really spoke to me as I believe that the student “process” of learning in many of my courses is where the real value is.
2. Sherry Linkon encouraged us to focus on questions we really care about. In the fast-moving world of higher ed, where having time to think about our teaching is a rare commodity, being able to hone in on something I really care about makes the work of SoTL more appealing.
3. The idea that we care about SoTL for the “love of teaching” and the deep care we have for our students is a very hopeful aspect I can connect with. Seeing students succeed is an incredible outcome, and taking time to focus on how that could be improved is hugely worthwhile.

More on motivation…. My top three motivations are:
• Increased diversity in voice and perspective in my pedagogy. Last year I had an assignment to research a “pioneer” in the field of study. Of 15 or so pioneers discussed in the course textbook, only 2 were female (with one of those being somewhat discredited), and that was the only “diversity”. This year, through SoTL activities, I want to address diversity of voice by including more diverse researchers and pioneers.
• Stronger institutional values on teaching and learning. I teach at the college level and truthfully have been offered very few “academic” learning opportunities. I am hoping that a wider presence of SoTL activities will encourage others and colleges to support faculty in developing themselves.
• Opportunity for outside funding to support program innovation. I teach in the business faculty, and partnering with private sector organizations, where funding could be provided, is an exciting prospect to investigate.