The Institute for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning develops workshops to meet the various teaching and learning needs of the UBC community. We offer sessions on a repeating cycle (typically we repeat the workshop every 6 months), with upcoming session registrations added regularly to this page. To view PDFs from past sessions that we have hosted please visit the past events page.
An Introduction to the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (May 13, 2025)
The Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) uses systematic inquiry with the goal of improving teaching and learning by making findings public (Hutchings, & Shulman, 1999; Potter & Kustra, 2011). This session will offer a breakdown of the definition of SoTL, information on the cycle of SoTL stages, and tips on how to start the journey of becoming a SoTL practitioner. Register now!
Classroom Evaluation and Research: Do I need ethics approval? (June 4, 2025)
Many instructors are involved in evaluating their classroom practices, but there is often confusion about whether obtaining ethical approval by the Behavioural Research Ethics Board (BREB) is required. In this workshop, instructors will learn more about what type of classroom inquiry might require BREB review. This workshop will also detail the ethical considerations for conducting research and evaluation in the classroom. Register now!
Best Practices in Focus Groups and Interviews (July 14, 2025)
Before gathering data for a scholarship of teaching and learning (SoTL) project you need to decide on the best method for answering your inquiry. If focus groups or interviews are the best fit, it is important to design the sessions in a way that elicit useful and insightful data. In this workshop, we will discuss when to use focus groups or interviews as evaluation methods and will share best practices for how to integrate them into your SoTL projects. Register now!
Best Practices in Survey Design (August 14, 2025)
While surveys are one of the most commonly used data collection methods, designing effective surveys that elicit useful and insightful data can be challenging. In this workshop, participants will gain an understanding of when surveys serve as an appropriate evaluation tool, the most common types of questions used in teaching and learning projects, and best practices for considering inclusivity and diversity. Register now!