Center for Teaching & Learning | Baruch College

SoTL

What is SoTL?

The Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) is the systematic, evidence-based study of classroom practices or curricular initiatives and their impact, along with the public sharing and review of such work through presentation or publication.

In Fall 2017, the CTL sponsored a research and writing group to support the development and dissemination of SoTL projects. Participants were invited to share their work with colleagues, exchange ideas, approaches and feedback through an interdisciplinary group that met monthly.

Why should I get involved?

The research developed through SoTL-based inquiry can be used for the following:

  • Advance classroom practice within and beyond a discipline
  • Develop new assignment sequences, courses, and programs
  • Improve our understanding of complex learning processes and their social and ethical dimensions.

We welcome applications from anyone from the Baruch community—faculty, graduate student, staff—who is working on or thinking about a research project related to teaching and learning. Your project can be at any stage of development, from idea formation to data collection to drafting. Sharing your work is not required; however, regular attendance is. In the spirit of sustaining a collegial writing group, we ask participants to commit to attending the full series of meetings.

Research at Baruch

If you are interested in conducting SoTL-related research at Baruch College, we suggest checking out information from the Baruch Human Research Protection Program (HRPP), and/or talking with the Research Integrity Officer (RIO). Information about research grants is available from the Baruch Office of Sponsored Programs and Research (SPAR), as well as the Research Foundation.

More information about how you can support student research is available from the following resources:

Inaugural Writing Retreat

The CTL  supports various SoTL activities throughout the school year. RSVP today for the Inaugural Writing Retreat–part of the CTL Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) initiative. This event is open to ALL members of the Baruch community: full-time and part-time faculty, graduate students, and staff.

The 2018-23 Baruch College Strategic Plan highlights the value of research in enriching the classroom experience for both teachers and students, and pledges to support innovative research, scholarship, and creative inquiry at the College. In the spirit of this pledge, the Center for Teaching and Learning will offer a two-day writing retreat for members of the Baruch community to focus on their research, writing, and creative work in a collegial environment.

On June 4 and 5, the CTL will provide a quiet space to write; a nourishing lunch; a separate space to take breaks, network, and eat; and outlets for charging devices. Participants will get dedicated time over one or two full days to work in a distraction-free, collegial environment. Each afternoon after lunch, there will be an optional breakout activity related to writing, such as combating writer’s block or soliciting and giving feedback, that participants may find useful in their own work as well as in the classroom.

Jump start that new chapter, write that book proposal, or finish editing that article that has been languishing on your desktop. Give yourself the gift of time to write.

RSVP coming soon! Please check back.

Contact Cheryl Smith at cheryl.smith@baruch.cuny.edu with any questions.

SoTL @ Baruch

In the past the CTL has hosted a year-long SoTL Research and Writing group, a Qualitative Research Roundtable, a Digital Scholarship Seminar & Working Group, and more. Many times these projects are faculty-driven and developed in collaboration with the CTL. If you have an idea for a SoTL project, please feel free to get in touch with CTL Director, Allison Lehr Samuels.

Scholarship of teaching and learning often involves research with students so many faculty submit a research proposal through the Baruch Human Research Protection Program (HRPP) Office.  If you are considering doing SoTL work, the HRPP staff can help you determine what releases and approvals you will need to begin your project.

Resources