Conduct Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) Experiments in Your D2L Course

Kennesaw State University is thrilled to announce the launch of Terracotta, leading the way as the first institution to integrate this groundbreaking tool into D2L Brightspace. While Terracotta was originally developed for Canvas, KSU has pioneered its integration into D2L Brightspace, making it available to all KSU faculty. You can learn more about Terracotta in this one-minute video. 

What is SoTL?

As defined by the CETL at KSU and drawing on Felten's (2013) recommendations, SoTL is systematic and/or reflective inquiry into student learning and/or one's own teaching practices in higher education which is situated in context and involves methodologically sound application of appropriate research methods, peer review, and distribution of scholarly work. 

Why Terracotta?

The above definition of SoTL contains many forms of scholarship. While CETL doesn't place one form of scholarship over any other, SoTL experiments have certain layers of complexity that can discourage or frustrate faculty. The D2L Terracotta plug-in removes that complexity, because it is specifically designed to enhance experimental research in SoTL. Terracotta facilitates the creation of control and experimental groups while streamlining how consent is obtained and tracked for IRB-approved studies.  

KSU's Strategic Plan emphasizes fostering pedagogical innovation and inquiry (Goal 1.4). Terracotta supports that vision by transforming D2L from just a learning management system to a learning and research management system—thereby equipping faculty to become leaders in SoTL. Terracotta provides an effective and efficient avenue for faculty to engage in experimental SoTL research, enhancing both teaching and learning outcomes. 

This cutting-edge Brightspace plug-in enables faculty to seamlessly test, evaluate, and refine pedagogical innovations for impact on student success, including as part of SoTL research studies. 

What Can Faculty Do with Terracotta?

Faculty can simplify management of multiple steps of their SoTL experiments all within D2L

  • Streamline recruitment of research subjects
  • Embed informed consent into their D2L course  
  • Track consent and filter out non-participants from data collection
  • Conduct randomized and non-randomized controlled trials within live courses
  • Assign students to different instructional conditions
  • Export anonymized data
  • Link data to course learning outcomes  
  • Evaluate strategies, assignment formats, and interventions 

And more! 

Upcoming Workshops

CETL is hosting an introductory workshop (the same workshop on both campuses) to help faculty get started with Terracotta. 

Turn Teaching into Research — A Hands-On Introduction to Terracotta for D2L

 

FAQs and Resources  

  • Yes, Terracotta makes it possible for Qualtrics surveys to be embedded within D2L assignments. 

  • Yes. Any research study involving human subjects must be approved by KSU's Institutional Review Board before it begins. To obtain approval, you'll need to submit an IRB protocol.

    For information, visit the IRB page. 

  • Students who do not give consent for their data to be used are placed in the “business as usual” condition, and Terracotta will not include their data in any data exports 
  • No. Terracotta is one avenue for engaging in SoTL — not a requirement. It's a convenient option for faculty who want to design and run studies from within their D2L course site, but SoTL research takes many forms, and faculty are encouraged to pursue any method that fits their SoTL question and context. 
  • No. Controlled trials are one method Terracotta supports, but SoTL encompasses a much broader range of approaches — including qualitative studies, case studies, action research, surveys, and other observational or descriptive methods. Faculty should choose whatever method best matches their research question; a controlled trial is not a prerequisite for doing meaningful SoTL work. 
  • Terracotta works directly within your D2L Brightspace course site to recruit participants, collect data, and export anonymized data. Faculty can analyze the data with the software or tool of their choice. 
  • Terracotta is designed to integrate seamlessly into your existing course site, so studies run alongside regular coursework within D2L without disrupting instruction.

  • Terracotta has resources available in their Quick Start Guide. 

    In addition, CETL is hosting an introductory workshop (the same workshop on both campuses) to help faculty get started with Terracotta. 

    Turn Teaching into Research — A Hands-On Intro to Terracotta for D2L: 

    • Marietta Campus — September 4, 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. 
    • Kennesaw Campus — September 10, 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. 

    Faculty can request a consultation. Administrators/chairs can request a custom workshop for their unit. 

Contact Information

headshot of Sheena Brown

Sheena Brown

Lead for Educational Development Scholarship and Evaluation

Phone: (470) 578-6410
Email: sbrow566@kennesaw.edu
Location: House 3211 - 102

Schedule a Consultation