SoTL@UAF facilitates a group of UAF faculty as they research the impact of pedagogical changes in their courses using a scholarship of teaching and learning (SoTL) approach.

Program Overview

Join a research team! For the 2025-2026 academic year, SOTL@UAF will bring together instructors, across department and rank, who ask students to write as a form of assessment – or who previously asked students to write as a form of assessment, but stopped due to the rise of generative AI tools like Chat-GPT. This program will build a cohort of instructors facing similar challenges in developing effective written assignments and assessing student writing as a mechanism for learning. 

As a part of the SOTL@UAF initiative, the group will engage as participant-research to systematically research effective methods for assigning writing assignments in the context of AI. Participants will receive training, individual support, and a regular space for peer problem-solving and sharing.

When

Runs 18 August 2025 – 01 May 2026

Please apply by 1 May 2025.

Outcomes

1. Develop relationships and collaboration across departments and colleges. 
2. Learn about classroom research/SOTL (Scholarship of Teaching and Learning) practices and publication opportunities. 
3. Be part of a research team. 
4. Collaboratively develop discipline specific recommendations for teaching using writing assignments.
5. Invitation to co-author resulting publications.

Eligibility

Any instructor who includes student writing in their course design – from discussion posts to lab reports – are welcome to participate. Faculty from all disciplines are encouraged to apply.

Scope

• Approximately 12 hours of training (~8 asynchronous, 4 synchronous) early Fall semester
• Bi-weekly meetings during the Fall semester 
• With support, share tailored writing assignment recommendations with peers, scheduled during the Spring semester

Learn more

Read about previous SOTL cohorts here. 

Questions? Contact Elle Fournier.