Faculty of Health & Behavioural Sciences:
Teaching and Learning Committee

Awards for Teaching Excellence (ATE)

2016 Guidelines

1.Purpose and Objectives

This award gives recognition to a teacher renowned for their excellence in teaching, which is supported by evidence of their broad and deep contribution to enhancing the quality of teaching and learning in the Faculty of Health & Behavioural Sciences. There are two awards granted each year at the discretion of the Faculty of Health & Behavioural Sciences, Teaching and Learning Committee. Each award winner will receive a certificate and a grant of $4,000.

2.Procedures Scope/Coverage

  • Application is open to academic staff with teaching-focused or teaching/research appointments.
  • Application from an individual is required for Faculty Award for Teaching Excellence.
  • Applicants must have ordinarily a minimum of three years of academic teaching-related employment at The University of Queensland.
  • Applications must be made using the 2016 application template.
  • Previous winners of a Faculty Early Career Citation, from Faculties of Health & Behavioural Sciences, Health Sciences or Early Career Teaching Excellence Award or a Citation, from Social and Behavioural Sciences, are eligible to apply for a Faculty of Health & Behavioural Sciences Award for Teaching Excellence.
  • Previous winners of the Faculty Awards for Teaching Excellence (ATE) from the Faculties of Health & Behavioural Sciences, Social & Behavioural Sciences & Health Sciences, The University of Queensland and/or OLT/ALTC/Carrick AAUT teaching awardsare not eligible for nomination in this category.
  • A winner of a Faculty Award for Teaching Excellence may be a recipient of a Faculty Programs that Enhance Learning Award in the same year, if they are part of a team application.

3. Procedures Statement

The Faculty of Health & Behavioural Sciences Awards for Teaching Excellenceconfirms the Faculty’s commitment to recognise, encourage and reward sustained excellence in teaching. The Awards were instituted to provide an effective incentive for maintaining sustained involvement in quality teaching. Academic staff with teaching-focused or teaching/research appointments within the University are eligible for nomination.

4.Selection Criteria

All applicants will be assessed on the evidence they provide in relation to the following five criteria, which will be given equal consideration by the Selection Committee. The dot points under each criterion are examples only and are not meant to be an exhaustive list of possibilities.

i.Approaches to teaching that influence, motivate and inspire students to learn

  • fostering student development by stimulating curiosity and independence in learning;
  • contributing to the development of students’ critical thinking skills, analytical skills and scholarly values;
  • encouraging student engagement through the enthusiasm shown for learning and teaching;
  • inspiring and motivating students through high-level communication, presentation and interpersonal skills;
  • demonstrating effective approaches to guidance of students during the planning of research projects;
  • establishing structures for ongoing interaction with students;
  • demonstrating innovative approaches in challenging and new teaching contexts (e.g., large classes, short courses, collaborative programs);
  • demonstrating innovative use of formal and informal teaching and learning spaces.

ii.Development of curricula and resources that reflect a command of the field

  • developing and presenting coherent and imaginative resources for student learning;
  • implementing research-led approaches to learning and teaching;
  • demonstrating up-to-date knowledge of the field of study in the design of the curriculum and the creation of resources for learning;
  • communicating clear objectives and expectations for student learning;
  • demonstrating innovative approaches to internationalising the curriculum or providing global experiences for students;
  • demonstrating innovation in program design;
  • enhancing the student experience through industry placements, internships and other practical work-based experiences.

iii.Effective approaches to assessment and feedback

  • integrating assessment strategies with the specific aims and objectives for student learning;
  • providing timely, worthwhile feedback to students on their learning;
  • using a variety of assessment and feedback strategies;
  • implementing both formative and summative assessment;
  • adapting assessment methods to different contexts and diverse student needs;
  • fostering the capacity for student self-assessment;
  • implementing effective moderation practices;
  • demonstrating innovative approaches to assessment in challenging and new teaching contexts (e.g. large classes, short courses, collaborative programs).

iv.Respect and support for the development of students as individuals

  • participating in the effective and empathetic guidance and advising of students;
  • influencing the overall academic, social and cultural experience of students at the University;
  • supporting increased participation, retention and success for students from equity and other demographic subgroups;
  • assisting international students to participate and achieve success.

v.Scholarly activities that have influenced and enhanced learning and teaching

  • developing scholarly approaches to evaluation and improvement of teaching practice;
  • participating in and contributing to professional activities related to learning and teaching;
  • demonstrating skills in coordination, management and leadership of courses and student learning;
  • conducting and publishing research related to teaching and learning;
  • demonstrating leadership in teaching and learning beyond the course level.

5.Applications

5.1Assessing applications

In assessing applications against the five selection criteria, the Selection Committee will take into account:

  • The extent to which the claims for excellence are supported by formal and informal evidence;
  • The extent of innovation, creativity or imagination, irrespective of whether the approach involves traditional learning environments or technology-based developments;
  • The information contained in references. The Selection Committee may contact the applicant and/or referees for clarification or further information.

5.2Previously unsuccessful applicants

Previously unsuccessful applicants may provide a revised applications, including current evidence to support their claims against the criteria. They should take into account any feedback they received on their previous application.The degree of success of previous applications is not taken into account, although the fact of previous application might be prima facie evidence of sustained excellence in teaching.The frequency of distribution of Awards to particular schools will not be taken into account.

5.3Application details

Applicants are required to use the application template. Page limits will be strictly administered. Applicants must adhere to the formatting requirements embedded in the template.

  • The written statement is limited to six A4 pages in total. Page limits will be strictly administered.
  • The application must be submitted electronically as a Word document.
  • Applications that do not meet these requirements will not be accepted.

The submission should be presented in the following order:

  • Written statement, including a synopsis, overview and addressing each of the five selection criteria;
  • Curriculum Vitae;
  • References: The names of two colleagues who will provide confidential referee statements;
  • Summary only of evaluation of the nominee’s teaching (in tabulated form)
  • Supporting materials

5.4Written statement

The core element of a nomination for an Award for Teaching Excellenceis a written statement in which applicants describe their teaching activities and achievements and specifically address each of the five selection criteria. Applicants must provide evidence in the written statement to support their claims against the criteria.

The written statement is limited to six A4 pages in total and should include all information that might be referred to in the submission. Supporting teaching materials will not be accepted.The written statement should be presented under the following headings, in order:

Synopsis

The synopsis must cover the nominee’s teaching area or discipline, teaching experience, the particular focus of their teaching and teaching methods, and their research/teaching interests. The synopsis must be written in the third person. The word limit is strictly 150-200 words.

Overview

The overview provides the opportunity for nominees to focus on the specific character of their teaching and achievements. It is recommended that the overview be up to one A4 page in length and that it include:

  • the nominee’s educational philosophy and beliefs;
  • a description of the teaching context;
  • an integrated summary of the claims relating to the selection criteria;
  • teaching experience and responsibilities at all levels – undergraduate, postgraduate coursework, including continuing professional education and postgraduate research activities.
Selection criteria

As selection is based primarily on the written statement, the majority of the written statement should be devoted to addressing each of the five selection criteria in turn. Applicants must provide evidence to support their claims against these criteria. The views of students, collaborators and/or colleagues, as appropriate, will be a key element in the assessment of the submissions.

  1. Approaches to teaching that influence, motivate and inspire students to learn
  2. Development of curricula and resources that reflect a command of the field
  3. Effective approaches to assessment and feedback
  4. Respect and support for the development of students as individuals
  5. Scholarly activities that have influenced and enhanced learning and teaching

5.5Curriculum Vitae

The Curriculum Vitae should outline the applicant’s educational qualifications, employment history, teaching positions and teaching experience. Applicants should include evidence of teaching scholarship, such as grants, publications and contributions to professional bodies.

The Curriculum Vitae is limited to three A4 pages.

5.6References

Applicants are required to provide names and contact details of three individuals. This would be two colleagues plus the Head of School (or delegate), Division or Organisational Unit. These individuals must agree to provide the Selection Committee with confidential statements on the applicant’s teaching against the selection criteria. References must be no more than one A4 page each.

Applicants are responsible for contacting the nominated referee and requesting that the report be forwarded electronically, preferably as a PDF, to the Senior Academic Administration Officer, Michael Hong () in the Faculty of Health & Behavioural Sciences by Thursday29th September 2016. To facilitate the writing of the reference please provide your referees with a draft copy of your application before the due date.

5.7Evaluation of the applicant’s teaching

Applicants are requested to provide a one A4page summary only (in tabulated form) of evaluation of their teaching, which need not be restricted to SECaTs or TEVALs and may include external evaluation.

Applicants are strongly advised to draw on this evidence, where appropriate, and to integrate it as part of their written statement when addressing each selection criterion.

5.8Supporting materials (optional)

While assessment is based primarily on the written statement, applicants can choose to submit two of the following supporting materials:

  1. A three minute video (which could include footage of the applicant/s talking about their project, team or service, their teaching philosophy or interviews with students);
  2. Website (URL); or
  3. 10 pages of printed teaching material in PDF format.

The relevance of all material must be made clear in the written statement.

6.Selection Procedure

Membership of the Award Selection Committee comprises the following:

  • Chair of theTeaching Awards Committee, Faculty of Health & Behavioural Sciencesor nominee
  • Two members of the Teaching and Learning Committee, Faculty of Health & Behavioural Sciences(nominated by the Associate Dean (Academic))
  • ITaLI Representative or Teaching and Learning Development Manager, Faculty of Health & Behavioural Sciences
  • A past recipient of a Faculty teaching award

The Selection Committee will refer its recommendations to the Faculty Teaching and Learning Committee for endorsement.

7.Presentation of Awards

The presentation of the Awards to the winners is made at a ceremony each year during the University’s Teaching and Learning week.

8.Terms and Conditions

Awards for Teaching Excellence are granted on the condition that all monies associated with the award are used to enhance the career of the recipient with emphasis on their teaching career. Award monies will be paid at the beginning of the calendar year immediately following receipt of the award and the money must be spent in the calendar year it is received.

Expenditure is subject to standard University policy and must be authorised by the Head of School or senior financial delegate.

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