Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) Programme

On March 29th 2007, the IDU launched a Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) Programme with the expectation of fostering a research approach to improving teaching and learning on the campus.

Events and activities of the SoTL group

• Workshops/training sessions
• Seminars/Presentations
• Biennial Teaching/Learning Research Day

How will the SOTL group operate?

• Members of the SoTL group will consist of any staff member who is interested in improving their practice through research in teaching and learning.  Members may join the group at any time.
• IDU’s Research Assistant sets the academic calendar, monitors and administers the programme:
  • prepares annual meetings and seminars schedule
  • implements meetings/seminars:
• notifies participants
• collects and circulates papers
• provides research support for staff       
• Two meetings per semester

At least one meeting should take the form of a seminar where lecturers can present their works in progress and obtain feedback etc.

Special workshops on research methodologies e.g. Action Research, Quantitative Methodology, Qualitative Methodology

• Team approach: Staff will be encouraged to work in pairs/teams – collaborative  approaches to research will gain most support
• Incentives will be provided in the form of grants, awards, equipment and supplies, attachments, especially for works exhibited at the biennial Teaching/Learning Research Day

Expected outcomes:

• Enhanced practice
• Peer reviewed papers
• Raised profile of teaching
• Rewards for teaching
• Teaching innovations
• Publications/presentation opportunities
• Established Teaching/Learning Research day
• Legitimization of teaching as an equal enterprise to disciplinary research
• Improved promotion and tenure options
• Improved relevance of The UWI to the region
• Ultimately, the sustained production of a peer reviewed journal of higher education in the Caribbean