Researching into My Teaching: Getting Started
For many of us who teach, research into our teaching and learning becomes a journey of discovery; many of us will discover that the language, research methodologies and dissemination opportunities are new territory for our disciplines (Opie, 2004).
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If you are considering doing some research into your teaching, or if you have some ideas but are not sure what to do next, click on the tabs above to find some initial information. If you would like to connect with other UCD staff in this area, have ideas you would like to discuss, require support along your journey or would simply like to contribute to this webpage, please do contact: Assoc Prof Geraldine O’Neill
If you are interested in doing research on your own teaching with a view to sharing it Michael Grove and Tina Overton (2013, p 58) set out some Key Questions to consider before you begin.
What is Researching into Teaching?
Research into Teaching can be designated as educational or pedagogical research. You may also have seen or heard the term scholarship of teaching and learning (SoTL) being used. SoTL is a term that includes the activity of researching into teaching, but it also has a wider context and understanding. For more on this, see Boyer (1990) and Ochoa (2011).
Wiemer (2006) provides us with a helpful outline of pedagogical scholarship, proposing that it should:
- have an impact on instruction, such as teaching and learning;
- contribute to a knowledge base;
- assist in maintaining professional standards;
- be well written;
- be enjoyable to read.
References
- Boyer, E. (1990) Scholarship Reconsidered: Priorities of the Professoriate, Washington, DC: The Carnegie Foundation
- Grove & Overton (2013) Getting Started in Pedagogic Research within the STEM Disciplines.
- University of Birmingham STEM Education Centre on behalf of the National HE STEM Programme.
- Morón-García & Willis (2009) Introduction to the Pedagogic Research Tool Kit
- Ochoa, A. (2011) The Scholarship of Teaching: Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow. The Journal of Professoriate. 100-116.
- Opie, C (Ed) (2004) Doing educational research: a guide to first time researchers. London: Sage Publications Ltd.
- Weimer, M. (2006) Enhancing scholarly work on teaching and learning. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.