Keys of SOTL

A response to the Three Keys of SoTL Activity
created by Katie Halsall (@khalsall)

Number of views: 286

The following video resonated with me the most: Designing for Writing Transfer across the University

Students need both practice and knowledge, and writing holds the two terms together (writing knowledge and writing practice).

Continuous Improvement: It is important to have both introductory courses as well as advanced, and continuous writing assignments as the student progresses to a higher level. Continuous writing is necessary because as a students’ vocabulary and thoughts advance, writing is a means to exercise their communication skills, application of the material, and to develop and refine their opinion on the matter. They not only need to develop and evolve their understanding of the material, but to improve the practice of their writing.

Continuous Writing: The video noted that some programs that harm a student’s writing is when there are no writing opportunities in the middle of the program, causing a student to write at the introductory level, and then be expected to write at an advanced or professional level in the latter years of the program. This structure does not allow the student to practice and improve their writing.

Reflective Practice: Writing is also a means of reflective practice, and the video noted that reflective practice is important to apply theory to practice.

Motivations:

  • My motivations for engaging SOTL in my classroom:
    • My students are international students, and so continuous improvement in their writing will make them better communicators in their work, here in Canada
    • Strong writing skills are a reflection of professionalism
    • It instills the importance of continuing to write beyond graduation