I Appreciate You: A Spectral Reading of SoTL during COVID-19

Authors

  • Laura Facciolo Humber College

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.20343/teachlearninqu.11.32

Keywords:

hauntology, methodology, COVID-19, Appreciative Inquiry, blogging

Abstract

What lives amongst loss? This study employs spectral reading practice to thematically analyze the scholarship of teaching and learning (SoTL) produced within the Canadian blogosphere during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the extent of loss that the pandemic brought, the findings of this study reveal that SoTL practitioners continued to embrace positive affectivities and “what works” in their reflective research about the experience of teaching and learning during crisis times. The four revealed themes—endless possibilities, teaching as care, care ethics, and community awe—point towards a hardening disciplinary and methodological characterization of SoTL (or what I refer to as a “SoTL attitude”) that is rooted in qualities of appreciation, generosity, and reparation. Overall, this work contributes to examinations of SoTL as an evolving disciplinary area, providing unique insights into its surprisingly cohesive response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Read the corresponding ISSOTL blog post here.

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Author Biography

Laura Facciolo, Humber College

Laura Facciolo is a teaching and learning enthusiast and cultural studies researcher working across several post-secondary institutions in Canada. In research and professional practice, her work centers on authentic pedagogies, holistic design, and care ethics.

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APPENDIX: REFERENCED SOTL BLOGS

Abboud, Victoria. 2021. “Seeking a Place on the Silence-Sound Continuum: Teaching into the Virtual Abyss.” Teach & Learn (blog). Centre for Teaching and Learning at the University of Windsor. June 2. https://teach-learn.ca/2021/06/02/seeking-a-place-on-the-silence-sound-continuum/.

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Chandler, Andrea. 2020. “Reflections on Online Teaching.” Teaching and Learning Services Blog (blog). Teaching and Learning Services at Carleton University. May 14. https://carleton.ca/tls/?p=27373.

Cheung, Kevin. 2020. “Fragility and Agility in Teaching.” Teaching and Learning Services Blog (blog). Teaching and Learning Services at Carleton University. May 26. https://carleton.ca/tls/?p=27632.

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Njegovan, Biljana, and Michael Justason. 2021. “Focus on Teaching: Michael Justason and Embracing Change.” Teaching and Learning Blog (blog). MacPherson Institute at McMaster University. January 27. https://mi.mcmaster.ca/focus-on-teaching-michael-justason-and-embracing-change/.

Njegovan, Biljana, Michelle Ogrodnik, Nicole Vincic, and Hoda Kamel. 2021. “Focus on Teaching: Course Navigation and Organization.” Teaching and Learning Blog (blog). MacPherson Institute at McMaster University. May 18. https://mi.mcmaster.ca/focus-on-teaching-course-navigation-and-organization/.

Njegovan, Biljana, and Trevor King. 2022. “Focus on Teaching: Trevor King and Effective Use of Video.” Teaching and Learning Blog (blog). MacPherson Institute at McMaster University. March 16. https://mi.mcmaster.ca/focus-on-teaching-trevor-king-and-effective-use-of-video/.

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Sears, Ian, and Marika Brown. 2022. “Reducing Stress and Increasing Engagement with “Contract Grading.” Teaching and Learning Blog (blog). MacPherson Institute at McMaster University. July 5. https://mi.mcmaster.ca/reducing-stress-and-increasing-engagement-with-contract-grading/.

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Wereley, Ian. 2020. “Creating an Online Course in a Hurry? Here Are Five Things I Learned during My Own Moment of Crisis.” Teaching and Learning Services Blog (blog). Teaching and Learning Services at Carleton University. May 14. https://carleton.ca/tls/?p=23570.

A painted sign hanging on a fence. The sign says "stay safe stay positive" with a sun and mountain range in painted in the background of the image.

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Published

2023-11-20

How to Cite

Facciolo, Laura. 2023. “I Appreciate You: A Spectral Reading of SoTL During COVID-19”. Teaching and Learning Inquiry 11 (November). https://doi.org/10.20343/teachlearninqu.11.32.