A reflective pause before you begin
Starting with SoTL often begins with curiosity — but moving from interest to action is not always straightforward. Many educators feel unsure where to begin, what SoTL might require, or whether they are “doing it right”.
Before you start with SoTL is a short, reflective resource designed to support that moment before you begin. It offers space to pause, step back, and think more deliberately about whether, why and how you want to start with SoTL in your own context.
Rather than offering a checklist or method, this resource helps you to:
- surface common misunderstandings and pitfalls when starting with SoTL
- clarify what SoTL can — and cannot — do for your teaching
- consider what would be feasible and meaningful given your context, time and role
- avoid turning SoTL into something that feels too big, abstract or burdensome
Many educators use this resource to gain focus and confidence before committing time and energy to a SoTL project.
How this guide fits within a broader SoTL pathway
Before you start with SoTL is one of three connected resources that together support educators in getting started with SoTL.
- The SoTL Quick Guide helps you recognise SoTL in everyday teaching practice and understand what it is — and what it is not.
- Before you start with SoTL supports a reflective pause, helping you make deliberate choices and avoid common pitfalls.
- The Utrecht Roadmap for SoTL offers step-by-step guidance for structuring a SoTL project once you are ready to work more systematically.
You can use these resources separately, or as a pathway — depending on where you are and what you need at this moment.
👉 If you are still exploring what SoTL is, you may want to begin with the SoTL Quick Guide.
👉 If you feel ready to move towards a more structured inquiry, the Utrecht Roadmap for SoTL can help you take that next step.
Want to continue or need support?
Taking time to reflect before starting often leads to more focused and sustainable SoTL work.
If questions arise while using this resource — or if you would like to think together about how SoTL might fit your course, programme or institutional context — feel free to get in touch.
I work with individual educators, teams and programmes to support SoTL-informed development, in ways that stay close to practice and feasible alongside everyday teaching.
👉 Feel free to reach out if you would like to continue the conversation. You can message me here or email me at info@irmact.com.