Mokakiiks Centre for Scholarship of Teaching

The Mokakiiks Centre for SoTL was previously the Institute for Scholarship of Teaching and Learning. In 2020, we moved under the umbrella of the Academic Development Centre at Mount Royal University. We were incredibly honoured to have been gifted a Blackfoot name, Mokakiiks. This name, gifted by Miiksika’am, Elder Clarence Wolfleg, means a lodge for wisdom. In the virtual naming ceremony, Elder Miiksika’am explained how to think about this lodge as not a static place for the accumulation of knowledge, but rather a gathering place of wise people, who get together to continue learning and then share their wisdom with future generations. We cannot think of a better aspiration for SoTL.

What is the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL)?

The Scholarship of Teaching and Learning is the developing field of original research & scholarship about teaching and learning practice specifically in the context of higher education. It is conducted by scholars from a variety of disciplinary backgrounds, who are interested in understanding student learning, innovations in teaching practice, and transformation of higher education.

The Mokakiiks Centre for SoTL is:

• a nexus for communication and collaboration, providing resources and coordinating initiatives locally, regionally, nationally;
• a community of scholars collaboratively advancing the existing body of knowledge about teaching and learning;
• a research centre facilitating and supporting investigation leading to deeper understanding of and sustained improvement in student learning.