Using Bibliometric Analyses for Evaluating Leading Journals and Top Researchers in SoTL

Drawing on bibliometric analyses, this session explores three questions relevant to the current state of SoTL. 1) “How is scholarship currently measured?” The relative merits and limitations of three popular bibliometric databases (Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar) and two specific measures (impact factor and h-index) will be explored. 2) “How does SoTL ‘measure up’ as a specific discipline?” Analyses of impact factors of SoTL journals, and discipline-specific journals and conference proceedings will be compared to metrics from other disciplines. Possible strategies to raise SoTL’s profile will be discussed. 3) “How might I proceed as a scholar?” Sample analyses of h-index measures for individuals will facilitate discussion on appropriate strategies for advancing careers with SoTL work. Participants will be able to: 1a) describe the relative coverage and basic differences between three widely used resources; 1b) describe the differences between two key measures of scholarship; 2a) discuss the standing of SoTL as a discipline as measured by impact factor; 2b) refer to a current list of SoTL conferences and journals; and, 3a) look up their own h-index in each resource as well as understand how to increase this measure

Using Social Media to Build Your SoTL Research and Profile: The “What” “Why” and “How”

Technology has caused huge changes in how academic work is accessed and measured. The advent of social media has also changed the way academic works are found and discussed. This session will present a range of popular social media tools and foster discussion on how various tools may be useful for SoTL, as well as for wider research purposes. Throughout the session participants will first be exposed to a number of multi-functional tools and then, through discussion, be encouraged to consider which of these might be most applicable to their own practices and interests. In addition, alternative metrics (which often emphasize data from social media outlets) that are relevant to academics, will also be presented. Participants will be able to: 1) describe tools (e.g. research blogs, Slideshare, Linkedin, Twitter, etc.) that are useful for identifying resources to inform their SoTL interest areas (both peer-review published and more informal); 2) describe tools (e.g. Research Gate, Mendeley, etc.) that facilitate sharing of their SoTL findings and building research networks between individuals; and, 3) become more familiar with alternative metrics (e.g. viewed scores, discussed scores, saved scores), as well as appreciate how these alternative metrics may ultimately affect core metrics based on citations

Creative Educational Use of Virtual Reality Working with Second Life

Institute of Textiles and Clothin

Educational Virtual-Wear Trial: More Than a Virtual Try-On Experience

Developments in computer capabilities, networks, mobile devices, and social media have enabled researchers and educators to increasingly employ blended strategies when developing new learning technologies. In addition, there is a growing need to develop discipline-specific learning technologies as result of expanding research in various domains. The study reported here was conducted in the context of a textile and clothing higher education course. The key aim was to develop a new learning technology for university students, specifically to help them learn about clothing thermal functional design (CTFD).Educational Development CentreInstitute of Textiles and Clothin