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UniSA Citations for Outstanding Contributions to Student
Learning
UniSA Citations for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning
recognise the many and diverse contributions that individuals and teams
make to the creation of effective learning environments and to the
quality of student learning. Citations are awarded to academic and
professional staff who have made a significant contribution to student
learning in a specific area of responsibility, over a sustained period
of time. Up to fifteen (15) Citations will be awarded annually. Each
winner or winning team receives $2000.
Citations for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning
provide an opportunity for distinctive values and priorities in learning
and teaching to be recognised. Citations will be awarded for a wide
range of contributions to student learning, both direct and indirect.
There are no specified categories for Citations, and awards will be made
for both general and more specific contributions.
A concise citation will describe the distinctive contribution of the
nominee(s). The individual citations are unique and reflect the
diversity of ways in which University staff and associates contribute to
excellent learning and teaching in higher education.
Listed below (for
illustrative purposes only) are examples of possible citations:
- "for excellence in the leadership of a School-wide transition
program for first year students"
- "for sustained commitment to personalised administrative support
for undergraduate students that has enhanced the overall student
experience"
- "for the creation of innovative and imaginative resources that
engage engineering students in current disciplinary issues and
develop critical thinking skills"
- "for specialist expertise in the design and implementation of
practical classes leading to enhanced student engagement"
- "for the provision of state-of-the-art programs in learning
support for international students over a five year period"
- "for a decade of exemplary supervision and support of
postgraduate research students in the field of social work"
- "for institutional leadership in the design and implementation
of a department-based program of peer feedback for academic staff to
enhance teaching skills"
- "for the strategic promotion of information literacy programs
tailored to specific disciplines and the needs of specific student
groups"
- "for the rigorous planning and evaluation of innovative teaching
resources for health studies that are culturally-appropriate and
raise awareness of cultural diversity among students"
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- Both team and individual nominations are encouraged.
- Teams may be of any size. However, nominations may name no more
than five members.
- Nomination is open to academic, professional and sessional
staff.
- Nominees, whether as a team or individuals, may not apply
concurrently for a Citation and another UniSA Teaching Award.
- Winners of Citations are eligible for renomination for
Citations, for different achievements, in later years, only if they
can demonstrate significantly different achievements in later years.
- Unsuccessful nominees for Citations are eligible for
renomination for Citations in later years.
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Nominations are made through the Deans: Teaching and Learning. The
Deans may use a number of strategies to identify prospective candidates.
Support for the nomination from the respective Head of School (or
equivalent) will be confirmed prior to notifying staff of their
nomination and confirming their acceptance.
Nominations are made either of individual staff members or of teams.
Nomination as part of a team does not qualify a staff member to apply
for an individual award. Staff members who wish to apply individually
for awards must first be nominated on an individual basis. Staff members
are encouraged to advise their Divisional Dean: Teaching and Learning of
their own interest in the awards scheme or to identify colleagues as
prospective nominees.
A
Nomination form is
available (Word 28kb - opens in a new window) UniSA staff access only.
Nominees normally will remain in the pool of nominees for a period of up
to three years.
Nomination for the UniSA awards will provide candidates with
University support should they wish to proceed to the ALTC awards,
subject to the condition that they first secure a competitive UniSA
teaching award. The University is committed over the three year
nomination period to assist nominees achieve success in the UniSA awards
scheme and to help them prepare for the national ALTC (formerly Carrick Institute)
awards. At the conclusion of their three year period, nominees will need
to be renominated by their Divisional Dean: Teaching and Learning if
they are to continue in the awards process. Similarly, nominees who
withdraw from the pool of nominees during their three year period of
nomination will need to be renominated by their Divisional Dean:
Teaching and Learning in order to re-enter the awards programs.
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Nominees for Citations for Outstanding Contributions to Student
Learning are invited to select one or more of the following criteria
for assessment, as appropriate for their particular contribution.
Nominations will be assessed on the evidence provided in relation to the
selected criterion/criteria.
- Approaches to teaching that influence, motivate and inspire
students to learn
Which may include: 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.
- Development of curricula and resources that reflect a command
of the field
Which may include: 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.
- Approaches to assessment and feedback that foster independent
learning
Which may include: 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.
- Respect and support for the development of students as
individuals
Which may include: participating in the effective and empathetic
guidance and advising of students; assisting students from equity
and other demographic subgroups to participate and achieve success
in their courses; influencing the overall academic, social and
cultural experience of higher education.
- Scholarly activities that have influenced and enhanced
learning and teaching
Which may include: showing advanced skills in evaluation and
reflective practice; participating in and contributing to
professional activities related to learning and teaching;
coordination, management and leadership of courses and student
learning; conducting and publishing research related to teaching;
demonstrating leadership through activities that have broad
influence on the profession.
The criterion/criteria chosen by nominees should be determined by the
nature of the nominee's contribution to student learning. The number of
criteria nominated does not, in itself, affect the Grants and Awards
Selection Panel's assessment of a nomination. The selection of winners
of Citations will be based on the extent to which nominees show evidence
that their contribution has:
- influenced student learning, student engagement or the overall
student experience;
- been sustained over time;
- and gained recognition from fellow staff, the University, and/or
the broader community.
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The following items, in support of the nomination, must be submitted
(original and electronic copy) no later than 4.00pm, Friday 2 September
2011:
Cover sheet
UniSA Citations for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning
Cover sheet
for application (Word 30kb - opens in a new window)
Written statement
The core element of a nomination for a Citation for Outstanding
Contributions to Student Learning is a written statement in which
the nominees describe their contribution to student learning. It is
vital that nominees specifically address one (or more) of the selection
criteria, and provide evidence to support their claims against this
criterion/criteria.
The written statement is limited to four A4 pages in total (minimum
11 point type in Arial, Times New Roman or similar font, margins at a
minimum of 2.45cm). Material in excess of this limit will not be
considered by the Selection Panel. It should have four components,
presented in this order:
- The proposed citation (maximum of twenty-five words) describing
the distinctive contribution of the nominee.
- An overview, summarising the particular contribution and
describing the specific context for this contribution.
- A statement addressing the chosen criterion/criteria (one or
two) from among the following:
- Approaches to teaching that influence, motivate and inspire
students to learn
- Development of curricula and resources that reflect a
command of the field
- Approaches to assessment and feedback that foster
independent learning
- Respect and support for the development of students as
individuals
- Scholarly activities that have influenced and enhanced
learning and teaching
- A statement identifying the ways in which the contribution has
influenced student learning, engagement and/or the overall student
experience, been sustained over time, and been recognised by fellow
staff, the University, and/or the broader community.
References
Two references of no more than one A4 page each, to be provided by
people who are able to comment on the nominee's contribution to student
learning against the nominated selection criterion. Each reference
should be signed and on letterhead. One of the referees
must be either a Dean in the nominee's Division, or the Head of the
nominee's School, Institute or administration unit. If the nomination is
from a team, the references should apply to the team.
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