The Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) is an emergent discipline that draws on the diverse research methodologies to ask questions, seek understanding, and disseminate findings about a range of topics related to student learning, instructional practices and goals, learning environments, and theoretical frameworks that inform teaching and learning. While scholarly teaching includes reflective, evidence-based approach to instruction, SoTL poses a research question, conducts its inquiry with methodological rigor, has broad application in teaching and learning, and is disseminated in peer-reviewed arenas.
UNG recognizes SoTL and lists it on the Faculty Annual Report appendix under Professional Growth & Development, Scholarship and Academic Achievement. Further, UNG President Bonita Jacobs spoke of SoTL at the 2014 Convocation as critical scholarship. Additionally, the Georgia USG policy (Policy Manual Section Section 8.3.14) regarding promotion and tenure is clear: “University System of Georgia (USG) institutions shall support and reward faculty who participate in significant and approved efforts to improve teaching and learning in K-12 schools and USG institutions through decisions in promotion and tenure, pre-tenure and post-tenure review, annual review and merit pay, workload, recognition, allocation of resources, and other rewards consistent with the related provisions in the Academic & Student Affairs Handbook.”
SoTL can provide faculty an opportunity to bring the seemingly disparate roles of scholar, teacher, and colleague into harmony. These resources support faculty in their work in SoTL.