Student Consultants on Teaching (SCOTs)

The Student Consultants on Teaching (SCOTs) offers students a unique opportunity to help shape the future of engineering education here at Grainger. Students get an opportunity to build professional skills, connect with faculty and support AE3 staff as we enhance teaching and learning across the College. This volunteer-driven program invites students to participate in two broad ways:  

SCOTs Program Overview

The SCOTs Program is meant to both offer opportunities for students to help bring real change to Engineering Education here at Grainger but also offer a program that can help them develop a variety of skills that can help them in their future careers or graduate school. It is a multi-year program meant to help you grow.

SCOTs Activities Overview

Bimonthly SCOTs Workshops

Every other month, AE3 staff will host an event (kickoff event, professional development, etc.) that SCOTs attend. Most of these events will provide practical guidance for documenting best practices in teaching, observing faculty, consulting on projects. Some may include opportunities to network with faculty working with AE3 on education research or education projects. Year 2+ SCOTs will have opportunities to collaborate with AE3 staff on planning and executing these workshops.

Sharing Best Practices

Each month, SCOTs will receive a survey from AE3 giving them the opportunity to share positive learning experiences they have had in one or more courses. These learning experiences could be something small like a fun activity done in class, a teaching practice that an instructor engages in regularly (ex. - turn-and-talk, end of class reflection, etc.) or something larger like a well designed project experience or experiential learning opportunity you had in a class. AE3 will collect these activities to help us showcase effective teaching practices across Grainger in our newsletter and beyond.

Focus Groups

AE3 will typically conduct two or three SCOT focus groups each year to gather feedback about special topics related to teaching and learning. Lunch is typically provided and students are asked a series of targeted questions to gather information in a relaxed and low-stress environment. AE3 implements changes based on the feedback received.

Student Panel Participation

AE3 occasionally hosts panels where student perspectives are valuable (such as a student panel every fall as part of the Collins Scholars Program). This would offer SCOTs an opportunity to share their learning experiences as a student here at Grainger. 

Classroom Observations

The SCOT and AE3 staff member meet with instructors prior to class to determine the focus of the observation. Example foci include determining the frequency of responses from particular students; the reason for any lack of involvement in discussions; or whether an instructor is helping students make connections between course material and related concepts. If desired, a video of the class can be made during the observation time. The SCOT and AE3 staff member write a summary report and discuss the results with instructors in a post-observation debriefing.

Community of Practice 

SCOTs who serve on our Community of Practice focused on Transforming Engineering Education through (Re)Design would lend their voice throughout a series of meetings. They might share their perspectives on a specific challenge in engineering education, gather data from courses or students on the challenge, ideate on possible solutions with faculty, and provide feedback on possible solutions as designed by the CoP.

Research Assistants

SCOTs may assist faculty or AE3 staff with collecting and analyzing data about courses and student learning. SCOTs may also be involved in College grant programs (SIIP) where they may serve on proposal review committees and assist in the collection of targeted instructional feedback.

Faculty Consultant

When faculty seek out support from AE3 on course, project, or assignment/assessment redesign, SCOTs may be invited to consult in conversation with AE3 staff to support the redesign effort. This could involve offering input on suggested changes, helping to test out prototyped ideas, and/or collecting feedback from students in the class on changes.

SCOTs Led Focus Groups

In these interviews, the SCOT interviews students to assess their learning success and perception of a class or program. Similar to the focus groups made up of SCOTs members, these focus groups would be about 15-20 minutes. They will often be done at an instructor's request to help get informal feedback. 

SCOTs who complete the designated activities each year will be recognized with a SCOT certificate of service and have the potential to win the annual AE3 SCOT Award (given at the annual AE3 Celebration of Teaching ceremony each spring) for a deserving SCOT participant who demonstrated dedication to improving engineering education here at Grainger. 

Interested in Applying?

 Interested in being a SCOT? Follow the link here or scan the QR Code to complete an application to join! For more information about the SCOT program, please contact Carrie James.