Workshop Learning/Teaching Scholarship and Ethics

Title

Workshop: Learning and Teaching Scholarship and Ethics

Author(s)

• Jo-Anne Kelder, Tasmanian Institute Learning and Teaching, Academic Division
• Doug Colbeck, Tasmania Social Sciences Human Research Ethics Committee (SSHREC) Chair, Tasmanian Institute of Learning and Teaching, Academic Division

Presentation Type

Workshop

Room

Plenary Room

Time

10.00-10.30

Abstract

The importance of a scholarly approach to teaching and development of a culture of scholarship in Australian Universities is made clear in the Higher Education Standards and by the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) in their guidance note on Scholarship. All Australian universities (and other bodies in receipt of ARC or NHMRC funding) are expected to adopt policies regarding evaluative practice/quality assurance activities (including inter alia evaluations of teaching and courses). Moreover, scholarship can give us a framework to evaluate and guide development of our practice and help us answer questions about our students’ learning and experience. However, for teachers new to the field, there can be many questions about what constitutes SoTL, how to go about it, and what ethical clearance is required.

Many institutions have expedited review pathways for ‘low risk’ research and special pathways for research that has already been reviewed at another institution  but very few institutions have special research ethics review arrangements for SoTL research, and most universities do not have policies or research ethics resources specific to SoTL researchers.

During this session we will explore accepted ethical practices in relation to SoTL research and what researchers should consider, particularly when planning to access student data. We will then look at how one College has approached the SoTL research paradigm by using a considered and well-executed strategy.