Graduate Teaching Award
Faculty of Education Procedure
This is an internal faculty document to guide Nominators/Nominees in the preparation of nomination packages for the University of Alberta, Faculty of Education Graduate Teaching Award.
Purpose
To provide Faculty specific eligibility requirements, adjudication criteria and instructions for the Faculty of Education Graduate Teaching Award at the University of Alberta.
Procedure
The individual faculty member is responsible for the overall nomination package. It is strongly recommended that the Faculty member work with the Department Chair to gather supporting documentation, and the development and submission of the application package. One digital copy of the nomination package should be submitted to the Faculty of Education Teaching Award Committee, c/o the Associate Dean, Undergraduate Programs and Services in the Undergraduate Student Services Office. Please refer to the Faculty of Education, Teaching Award Information webpage for information on deadlines and contact submission details.
In some cases, recipients of the Faculty of Education Graduate Teaching Award may be invited by the Faculty of Education Teaching Awards Committee to submit a nomination package for the Award for Excellence in Graduate Teaching at the university level. As much as possible, criteria for the Faculty of Education Graduate Teaching Award have been aligned with the Award for Excellence. However, nowHominees need to be aware that these two awards have distinct criteria. Refer to UAPPOL for complete information concerning the Award for Excellence in Graduate Teaching.
1. Eligibility
Any individual who has completed a minimum of five years graduate teaching (not required to be consecutive years) in the Faculty of Education at the University of Alberta as a full-time continuing member of the academic teaching staff (Category A1.1) is eligible.Five years graduate teaching experienceis defined as teaching at least one graduate course in each of the five years (exclusive of Independent Studies courses).Nominees must have taught at the graduate level within the last 24 months of the date of nomination.
2. Nomination packages must be accompanied by a completed nomination form (see Appendix A)
This form should be affixed to the front of the nomination package.
3. Nomination package must include the following to address the Adjudication Criteria listed in Section 4 (maximum 20 pages):
a. Nomination letter written by the nominator detailing why nominee is deserving of this award (this should speak to the adjudication criteria).
b. Statement of Teaching Philosophy written by the nominee (3 page maximum).
c. A list of graduate courses taught over the five years (or longer) along with details of enrolments and an indication as to whether the courses were required or electives and whether the courses were taught at a master’s or doctoral level (or both).
d. Samples of two graduate course outlines should be included (not included in final page count).
a. Universal Student Ratings of Instruction (USRI) scores (see Appendix B) for the two most general categories – ‘Overall, the quality of the course content was excellent’ and ‘Overall, this instructor was excellent’ – and an additional category at the discretion of the instructor must be submitted for each course taught in the past five years, per Appendix B. For those courses where USRI scores were not collected, a comparable measure (e.g. student comments) is expected to be submitted. While it is not expected that Nominees include all comments from each of the courses taught, Nominees should ensure that evidence of course quality and instructional excellence is provided for adjudication.
e. Any other support/evidence for graduate courses taught during each of the five years of eligibility.
f. At least two letters of support solicited from graduate students, provided they are not from students currently being taught or supervised at the time of application.
g. At least two letters from colleagues who have knowledge of the nominee’s teaching performance at the graduate level.
h. A letter from a colleague who has reviewed the nominee’s graduate teaching evaluations and students’ anecdotal comments.
NOTE: Nomination packages must not include bibliographies, examinations, papers, etc. Given that this is a graduate teaching award, information on undergraduate teaching and research publication is not relevant.
4. Adjudication Criteria
The adjudication criteria for the Faculty of Education Graduate Teaching Award are listed below.
The Faculty of Education Graduate Teaching Award recognizes excellence in teaching at the graduate level. The award is based on evidence from graduate students’ course evaluations and anecdotal comments, together with strong supporting evidence through solicited and unsolicited materials (e.g. letters, cards and e-mails) from graduate students and colleagues, gathered by individual applicants for the award. The following criteria outline the basis for the award:
a. Effectively integrates theoretical knowledge, research and expertise with their own teaching.
b. Exhibits a consistently superior command of the subject matter, including knowledge of current research in the areas being taught.
c. Demonstrates excellent planning and organizational skills.
d. Fosters vital interest in the subject and associated research.
e. Creates a climate of mutual respect and academic excellence while fostering a critical analysis of research and practice.
f. Demands that students have a comprehensive, coherent understanding of the subject matter and associated research.
g. Consistently demonstrates a concern for student progress and is available and approachable for out-of-classroom consultation.
h. Is a valuable resource for both students and colleagues.
i. Contribution to curriculum development for the program.
j. Promotes and contributes to excellence in teaching by collaborating with others within the Faculty, University and/or with communities at large.
Appendix A
Graduate Teaching Award
Faculty of Education Nomination Form
I, (print name) would like to be considered for the Faculty of Education Graduate Teaching Award.
Signature of Nominee: ______Date:
Nominating Department Name:
Nominating Department Chair’s Name:
Nominating Department Chair’s Signature: Date:
This form should be affixed to the front of the nomination package.
Appendix B
Graduate Teaching Award
USRI Reporting
USRI ratings for graduate courses taught over five years, in the Faculty of Education at the University of Alberta. Include USRI scores for the two most general categories – ‘Overall, the quality of the course content was excellent’ and ‘Overall, this instructor was excellent’ – and an additional category at the discretion of the instructor must be submitted for each course taught within the Faculty of Education, per the sample table below. For those courses which might not use USRI scores, a comparable measure (e.g. student comments) is expected to be submitted. While it is not expected that Nominees include all comments from each of the courses taught, Nominees should ensure that evidence of course quality and instructional excellence is provided for adjudication.
Sample USRI Result Report
Year 1 / Year 2 / Year 3 / Year 4 / Year 51. Course # (sample) / EDXX 546
Total # Students / Students who answered question / 12/15
Question 1:
‘Overall, the quality of the course content was excellent.’ / 4.8 / 75%
4.4 / 75% / 75% / 75% / 75%
Question 2:
“Overall, this instructor was excellent.’ / 4.8 / 75%
4.8 / 75% / 75% / 75% / 75%
Question 3: At discretion of the nominee – please specify / 4.5 / 75%
4.0 / 75% / 75% / 75% / 75%
2. Course # (sample) / EDXX 654
Total # Students / Students who answered question / 12/15
Question 1:
‘Overall, the quality of the course content was excellent.’ / 4.6 / 75%
4.5 / 75% / 75% / 75% / 75%
Question 2:
“Overall, this instructor was excellent.’ / 4.7 / 75%
4.4 / 75% / 75% / 75% / 75%
Question 3: At discretion of the nominee – please specify / 4.9 / 75%
4.2 / 75% / 75% / 75% / 75%
*Provide individual IDQ scores and faculty 75 percentile scores for each question.