HomePublicationsOpen Access SeriesThe SoTL Guide Chapter 2: Why You?Download Chapter Book MenuThe SoTL Guide ChaptersIntroductionChapter 1Chapter 2Chapter 3Chapter 5Chapter 6Chapter 7Chapter 8Chapter 9Chapter 10Chapter 11Chapter 12Chapter 4About the Authors Book Resources Reviews Download BookOpen Access PDFdoi.org/10.36284/celelon.oa10ISBN: 978-1-64317-568-3November 3, 20257.2 MBMetrics: 6268 views | 1494 downloadsBuy in PrintISBN: 978-1-64317-567-6EPUB ISBN: 978-1-64317-569-0 Why do SoTL—and why now? This chapter turns the focus to you and aims to help you think deeply about the things that matter to you so that the SoTL you do is meaningful. People come to SoTL for many reasons: curiosity, a desire to improve teaching, or simply the need to reconnect with purpose. Wherever you are in your journey—just starting out or re-energizing—reflection is at the heart of SoTL. The chapter invites you to consider your identity, your discipline, your career stage, and the communities you belong to. These aspects shape not only what questions you ask, but also why those questions matter—to you and to others. Reflection in SoTL isn’t just personal; it extends to students, peers, institutions, and even society. The chapter offers prompts and activities to help you pause, think, and write about what motivates you. Sharing these reflections with colleagues can make them even richer and contribute to transformational ’significant conversations’. By clarifying your “whys,” you’ll be better equipped to design meaningful projects that grow from your values and provide genuine learning opportunities. Related Book ResourcesCompiled Reflection Prompts from Chapter 2 [PDF][Microsoft Word] Discussion QuestionsWe invite you to explore these questions in individual reflection or in collegial conversation. What are your “whys” for being a teacher? How has this evolved over time? What about your “whys” for doing SoTL? How has this evolved over time? What’s the relationship between your “whys” as a teacher and as a SoTL practitioner? What role has SoTL played, if any, in the evolution of your sense of professional purpose? Share: