SoTL Spotlight Podcast

What is the Spotlight Podcast?

This podcast series aims to put a spotlight on topics in the Learning & Teaching space. We hope that by listening to others talk about some of these topics will give you food for thought in how you might want to develop and innovate your LTA practice, and hopefully you will want to advance this through our Scholarship of Teaching & Learning Network (SoTL@SHU) to gain support and develop plans to disseminate your work.

Why is this a podcast?

We hear you loud and clear – you get enough written communication! The trend for audio communication such as radio and podcasts has spiked in recent years, and so we are trialling this as an asynchronous tool to enhance the SoTL support and scaffolding for colleagues. This should complement other support and development we have on offer including in-person college SoTL events, online synchronous institution wide events, online communities including Teams and Whatsapp chats, and the tried and trusted ‘Cluster Cuppa Catchups’ that some of you are engaged in! Podcasts are an innovative and celebrated way of dissemination, and feature on Beckingham’s SoTL Staircase (2023).

Who is involved in this?

The series is hosted by Joel (Associate Dean Learning, Teaching and Student Success), and features colleagues from across the university, the second series is being recorded in the summer with more colleagues and some external experts.

Joel

Joel

Joel is an Associate Dean for Learning, Teaching and Student Success at Sheffield Hallam University and the host of the Spotlight Podcast series. He is one of the founding members of the university’s Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Network, and leads the University Grade Descriptor project – a sector leading initiative on assessment practice and pedagogy. Joel is an advocate of digital and media literacy, and passionate about student and staff mattering in a thriving and inclusive widening participation institution. Joel is a leading scholar on the world’s biggest traditional media organisation, The Walt Disney Company.  
Recent articles: 
-The Conversation
-The Journal of American Culture  

What about topic X? What is the future for this podcast?

Series 1 is a test, it isn’t perfect and it does not cover every topic! We wanted to see if this format worked. We think staff will enjoy the episodes, and so we are now looking to record future series. If you have a specialist area of T&L knowledge or skills then reach out to us, we’d love to talk to you in our SoTL Network, and we are always looking for more podcast guests! If there’s a topic you want us to cover to help support your development, you can also let us know. Fill in this short form to express your intention. Series 2 topics will include: Generative AI in LTA, The SoTL Basics, EEDI in STEM, Formative Assessment and Feedback, and Inclusive Practice – this series will be recorded in July.