Integrating SOTL into Instructional and Institutional Processes

Authors

Paul Savory, University of Nebraska at LincolnFollow

Date of this Version

Summer 6-15-2009

Comments

Published in Moutnainrise, Volume 5, Number 3 (Summer 2009). Link at: http://www.wcu.edu/facctr/mountainrise/html/sotlfinal.pdf

Abstract

The benefits of SOTL for individual faculty members are significant. Unfortunately, the issue of how it can benefit an institution is often not so clear. For SOTL to be valued and supported by postsecondary institutions, it needs to be purposely linked into the research and teaching mission of the institution. This paper shares successful approaches for integrating SOTL in instructional and institutional processes. SOTL’s focus on supporting and refining scholarly inquiry can broaden the scope for improving student learning outcomes from individual classes to improving outcomes across the institution. This expanded role matches faculty, department, and institutional needs.