Sociology of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education
Summary
The sociology of teaching and learning in higher education examines how social structures, institutional norms and cultural dynamics shape pedagogical practices and student experiences. Research spans macro-level studies of policy, governance and equity, as well as micro-level analyses of classroom interaction, teacher identity and peer networks. Key themes include the formation of academic and student identities, the impact of neoliberal reforms on curriculum and assessment, and the rise of digital pedagogies. Methodologies range from ethnography and discourse analysis to network analysis and mixed-methods surveys. Findings inform curriculum design, faculty development programmes, inclusive teaching strategies and evidence-based policy, with global significance in addressing massification, digital transformation and persistent inequalities in higher education.
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Sociology of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education publication trend
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Technical terms
Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL): A systematic, evidence-based inquiry into teaching practices and student learning, aimed at improving educational outcomes.
Reflexivity: Critical self-examination by educators and researchers of their own assumptions, positionality and influence on the teaching–learning process.
Communities of practice: Networks of educators and learners who share and develop pedagogical knowledge through sustained interaction and collaboration.
Digital pedagogy: The design and implementation of teaching and learning strategies that leverage digital tools and online environments.
Institutional culture: The shared values, norms and practices within an educational organisation that shape behaviour and decision-making.
References
- How to Get Started with SoTL: Reflections from a Novice SoTL Researcher. Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders (2024).
- 29. Two Models for Introducing Graduate Students to the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning. Collected Essays on Learning and Teaching (2010).
- Central Limit Theorem in the Sociology Classroom. International Journal for Innovation Education and Research (2018).
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