Communities of practice are important for all educators as they provide a supportive network where professionals can share insights, strategies and resources related to teaching and learning. These communities foster collaboration, continuous learning, and professional development. By engaging in communities of practice, educators can access a wealth of collective knowledge, stay informed about current trends and research, and receive feedback from peers. Communities of practice offer opportunities for networking, mentorship, and the exchange of innovative ideas, ultimately enhancing teaching effectiveness, and student success across educational settings.
The Scholarship of Teaching and Learning serves as a dynamic community of practice for educators committed to advancing pedagogical excellence. Within this community, educators collaborate, share insights, and engage in reflective inquiry to enhance teaching effectiveness and student learning outcomes. By participating in SoTL, educators contribute to a collective effort to improve teaching and promote evidence-based practices in higher education.
It is important for educators to join a community of practice as it fosters collaboration, knowledge sharing, and professional growth. By connecting with peers who share similar interests and challenges, educators can exchange ideas, learn from each other’s experience, and collectively enhance their teaching practices. Being part of a community of practice provides valuable support networks and opportunities for ongoing learning and development. The Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL Canada) and The International Society for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning, Inc. (ISSOTL) are excellent communities of practice.
The Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL Canada)
The Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) Canada is a community of practice comprised of researchers and practitioners with a mission to work within the aims and structure of the Society for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education (STLHE) to promote theory and applied research in teaching and learning, and facilitate the adoption of scholarship of teaching and learning into scholarly teaching practice, improved student learning, and curriculum improvement.
SoTL Canada strives to meet this mission by coordinating communication, networking, professional development opportunities, and advocacy strategies. SoTL Canada strives to advocate for the importance and value of SoTL in its role of advancing post-secondary education and acts as a liaison and mentoring body for those seeking SoTL guidance, partnership, and collaboration.
The International Society for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning, Inc. (ISSOTL)
The International Society for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning, Inc. (ISSOTL)serves faculty members, staff, and students who care about teaching and learning as serious intellectual work. Through building intellectual and collaborative infrastructure, the Society supports the associational life that fosters scholarly work about teaching and learning.
The Society provides this support by:
- recognizing and encouraging scholarly work on teaching and learning in each discipline, within scholarly societies and across educational levels,
- promoting cross-disciplinary conversations to create synergy and prompt new lines of inquiry,
- facilitating the collaboration of scholars in different countries and the flow of new findings and applications across national boundaries,
- encouraging the integration of discovery, learning, and public engagement, and
- advocating for support, review, recognition, and appropriate uses of the scholarship of teaching and learning.