Integration of Boyer's Theory of Teaching and Learning into Undergraduate Education: Application to Resident Instruction and Distance Education

Abstract

According to Boyer's theory of teaching and learning, teaching becomes scholarly when four components (discovery, integration, application, and teaching) are integrated within and throughout the educator's efforts. Scholarship is holistic, and the elimination of one or more components diminishes the strength of scholarship. The purpose of this article is to demonstrate how Boyer's theory of scholarship is applied to resident instruction and distance education at a midsize university in the West. The infusion of Boyer's components results in communication and content skills students learn while completing assignments that go beyond the memorization of apparel and merchandising concepts. Regardless of the method of instruction delivery, Boyer's theory of scholarship may be applied to course concepts to assist students in the long-term learning process. Students also gain valuable leadership skills that are used to benefit the community.