Scholarship of Learning & Teaching

Discuss  the  methods  and  processes  you  use  to  evaluate  your  teaching  and  learning  activities.  Include feedback  from  students,  peer  reviews,  and  self-assessments.  Explain  how  you  use  this  feedback  to improve  your  teaching  practices.  Below  is  a  suggested  structure  to  emphasize  your  commitment  to quality  education,  how  you  use  evaluations  to  improve  your  teaching,  and  your  adherence  to established models of reflective practice.

Introduction to Evaluation

o Commitment  to  Quality:  Highlight  your  dedication  to  delivering  high-quality  and intellectually  stimulating  education,  supported  by  positive  evaluations  from  both  students and moderators. 

o  Importance  of  Feedback:  Mention  how  feedback  from  evaluations  guides  your  commitment to continuous improvement in teaching and learning. 

Student Evaluations 

o  Process  and  Tools:  Explain  the  process  of  conducting  module  evaluations,  including  the  use of Google Forms for anonymous feedback and data collection. 

o  Feedback  Utilization:  Describe  how  you  use  the  feedback  to discuss  and  plan  improvements with  students,  incorporating  their  voices  into  the  development  of  future  modules  and teaching approaches. 

o  Commendations:  Share  how  students  have  praised  your  ability  to  simplify  complex  concepts and  your  use  of  innovative  teaching  methods  such  as  interactive  simulations  and  case studies. 

o  Example:  Include  a  sample  Google  Form  or  feedback  summary  to  illustrate  the  types  of questions asked and feedback received. 

Moderator Reports 

o  Role  of  Moderators:  Discuss  the  importance  of  independent  evaluations  from  moderators, highlighting their consistent feedback on the rigor and relevance of your academic content. 

o  Integration  of  Feedback:  Explain  how  moderator  reports  help  ensure  your  modules  reflect cutting-edge  knowledge  and  contribute  to  your  ongoing  improvement  in  teaching methodologies. 

o  External  Examiner  Role:  Mention  your  role  as  an  external  examiner  for  UKZN’s  Community Development programs and how this experience informs your teaching practice. 

Teaching Philosophy and Pedagogical Expertise 

o  Influence  of  Educational  Theorists:  Describe  how  your  teaching  philosophy  is  influenced  by theorists  such  as  Bloom,  Mezirow,  and  Freire,  and  how  this  shapes  your  approach  to education. 

o  Model  of  Scholarship  of  Teaching  and  Learning  (SoTL):  Introduce  Kreber  and  Cranton’s (2000) Model of SoTL and explain its relevance to your practice. 

Reflective Practice 

o  Content  Reflection:  Detail  how  you  regularly  review  and  update  teaching  methods  and materials based on student feedback and scholarly research. 

o  Process  Reflection:  Explain  how  you  analyze  student  evaluations  and  peer  reviews  to  refine instructional strategies. 

o  Premise  Reflection:  Describe  how  you  challenge  teaching  assumptions  and  explore alternative methods to foster interactive, student-centered activities. 

Knowledge Development Instructional  Knowledge

o Discuss  your  efforts  to  stay  current  with  teaching  techniques,  such as integrating problem-based learning (PBL) into the curriculum. 

o  Pedagogical  Knowledge:  Explain  how  you  tailor  teaching  to  diverse  learning  styles  and  apply educational theories to foster critical thinking. 

o  Curricular  Knowledge:  Describe  your  continuous  revision  of  courses  to  ensure  relevance  and alignment with educational standards. 

Supporting Documentation 

o  Examples  of  L&T  Reports:  Upload  examples  of  your  Learning  and  Teaching  reports  that demonstrate your reflective practice and adherence to SoTL principles. 

o  Course  Evaluations:  Provide  examples  of  course  evaluation  forms  and  summaries  of feedback received. 

o  External  Moderator  Reports:  Include  examples  or  summaries  of  reports  from  external moderators that highlight your academic rigor and relevance. 

Summary and Reflection 

o  Overall  Approach:  Summarize  how  your  approach  to  evaluation,  reflective  practice,  and knowledge  development  contributes  to  a  high-quality,  continuously  improving  educational experience. 

o  Impact  on  Students:  Reflect  on  how  these  practices  help  enhance  student  learning outcomes and support your commitment to academic excellence.