Leveraging a scholarship of teaching and learning values framework to build online faculty learning communities

Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) enhances teaching practices and improves student learning outcomes while fostering a culture of continuous professional development and reflective practice (Felten, 2013; Hutchings et al., 2011; Trigwell et al., 2000). Faculty Learning Communities (FLCs) serve as dynamic hubs for collaborative exchange, enabling faculty to engage with SoTL principles, share diverse perspectives, and develop innovative teaching strategies that benefit learners (Cox, 2004). This chapter examines an online SoTL FLC at a multi-campus institution as a case study to propose a SoTL Values Framework to guide best practices in online professional development. The framework is built on four key values: inclusivity, collaboration, scholarly approach, and reflectiveness, each aligned with unique opportunities offered by the online environment. By drawing on SoTL literature and reflecting on the experiences within this online SoTL FLC, the chapter offers insights to inform future online SoTL initiatives fostering sustained growth in SoTL practices.