SoEL Program of Study

Program Goals & Objectives

Through the program, students will consider theories, principles, and practices in the Scholarship of Educational Leadership (SOEL) and the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SOTL) related to:

1. Think critically about the SoEL literature and its implications for educational leadership practices in diverse university contexts.
2. Integrate SoEL research skills in complex educational practice settings.
3. Conduct SoEL inquiries that are grounded in the scholarly literature, methodological rigour, and authentic methods of assessment and evaluation.
4. Demonstrate critically reflective practice, effective leadership, collaboration, and communication skills when initiating, engaging in, and disseminating SoEL research.

Additionally, learners will continually reflect on what they are learning and consider how it can help them understand the aims and purposes underlying higher education in their contexts. This knowledge can then be used to inform new practices in their educational contexts.

Program Themes

Core Program Themes

1. • SoEL Contexts – Diverse initiatives to enhance research-informed, evidence-based, effective and strategically-aligned educational leadership practices in higher education settings; implementation challenges and strategic institutional supports.
   • SoEL Research Methodology –Developing and refining practice-based SoEL inquiry; research design and methodology (including methodological and ethical considerations); data collection and analysis methods; dissemination in peer reviewed contexts.

Thematic Program & Scholarship Specializations

1. • Pedagogical Leadership – Theories of student learning in higher education; teaching perspectives in higher education; technology-enhanced learning-centred teaching practices; authentic assessment and evaluation of teaching and student learning in higher education; practice-based SoEL research methodology.
   • Curriculum Leadership – The scholarship of undergraduate/graduate degree program reform; curriculum contexts and communities of practice; technology-enhanced learning-centred curriculum practices; curriculum development/ renewal/implementation/ evaluation; practice-based SoEL research methodology.

* Technology-enabled practices are a thread throughout each of the above four Program Themes.

Program Format

Depending on Prior Learning Assessment (PLA), educational leaders follow an individual learning plan and engage in approximately 150 hours of learning experiences. Activities combine on-line and interactive modules and seminars (e.g., SoEL research design and methodology, student engagement, authentic assessment of learning, curriculum renewal, and evaluation of teaching effectiveness), practice-based SoEL research, cohort presentations, and peer review of SoEL e-portfolios.

Since much of SoEL involves teamwork, the program is designed, in part, around a cohort model, whereby emphasis is placed on networked improvement communities, collaboration and peer review. Moreover, this provides academic leaders with a unique forum to debate, practice and evaluate philosophies, issues and applications of SoEL in higher education.

Situated within a unique academic leaders’ community of practice, and supported by the prior learning Assessment, independent learning plans, cohort meetings, and e-learning activities, the development of an academic leader’s unique SoEL e-Portfolio addresses key issues pertaining to research-informed and evidence-based approaches to curriculum renewal and/or pedagogical leadership practices. Successful completion of the five program-level learning objectives is demonstrated using completion criteria of the five SoEL e-Portfolio assignments.

Assessment

Authentic assessment and evaluation (informal, formative, and summative) of SoEL is an integral component of the International Program for the Scholarship of Educational Leadership . Successful completion of the five program-level learning objectives is demonstrated using competency-based completion criteria in the context of the SoEL e-Portfolio assignments.

Four methods of assessment are employed:

• Instructor Feedback: Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) interview, formative and summative review of SoEL ePortfolio assignments
• Self-Assessment Reflections: Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) interview, formative and summative review of SoEL ePortfolio assignments
• Peer Feedback: Formative peer review of SoEL ePortfolio assignments
• External Peer Review: Graduation SoEL ePortfolio review and oral interview by external reviewer

Program Schedule Overview