The attraction, value and future of SoTL: Carnegie affiliates' perspective

The Carnegie Foundation’s initiative to promote the scholarship of teaching and learning (SoTL) through the Carnegie Academy for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (CASTL) program ended in October 2009. The Carnegie Affiliates were a collection of 17 diverse institutions in the United States and Canada that chose to make a connection to the CASTL program within its last three years, several within the last year of the program. Each Affiliate agreed to explore the place of SoTL work in its institution, and to undertake activities that would provide support and recognition for ongoing inquiry into evidence-based improvement of student learning. In response to many questions posed about the sustainability and future of SoTL, this article reveals the Affiliates’ viewpoint on these critical issues. Findings from their self-study indicate specific factors that led institutions to "officially" connect to the SoTL movement and the benefits that accrued as a result. Based on their collective experience and self-study, and informed by reflective discussions held at the final convening on October 21, 2009, the Affiliates offer lessons-learned and suggestions for colleagues or institutional leaders who are seeking perspectives and information about institutionally engaging with SoTL.