Office for Learning and Teaching Awards for Programs

that Enhance Learning

• OLT Awards for University Teaching guidelines (309 KB)
• Programs Award nomination form (463 KB)
• University procedure on expenditure of Award moneys
• Key dates
• Contacts

To be eligible to apply for an Office for Learning and Teaching award you must be nominated by the University panel.

The Learning Research and Evaluation team within Deakin Learning Futures will provide assistance at every stage of the awards process including; providing a mentor, peer review of your written statement, proof reading, timely advice regarding milestones and deadlines, final document formatting, upload to OLT and general support to make the process as streamlined as possible.

Following is the information that was provided to the 2012 award nominees, you may find it useful in understanding an award application.

Application requirements

Applications may be made across seven categories:

• widening participation - encompassing approaches to teaching and learning which enhance student access, widen participation and support progression;
• educational partnerships and collaborations with other organisations;
• the first-year experience;
• flexible learning and teaching;
• innovation in curricula, learning and teaching;
• postgraduate education;
• and services supporting student learning.

Applications must address four criteria in a ten-page statement accompanied by any two of, up to ten pages of teaching materials, a CD/DVD or showcase website, along with curriculum vitae and references. Statements must be in 11 point font with minimum 2 cm margins. Word counts for applications will generally range from 6500 to 7000 words, depending on the extent to which tables and illustrations are included.

The selection criteria are:

• Distinctiveness, coherence and clarity of purpose
• Influence on student learning and student engagement
• Breadth of impact
• Concern for equity and diversity.

Nominations are assessed against the four selection criteria, taking into account:

• evidence of the effectiveness of the program in formal and informal evaluation
• the degree of creativity, imagination or innovation
• evidence of the sustained effectiveness of the program.

Your application comprises:

• Programs Award nomination form, sign and return to the Institutional Contact Officer for endorsement.
• a ten-page statement comprising a 150–200 word synopsis written in the third person and responses to all four selection criteria.
• supporting teaching materials in any two of the following formats: up to ten printed pages of supporting materials, a CD/DVD or showcase website
• a teaching and learning curriculum vitae of a maximum three pages plus one page per team member, e.g. a team of three may have a curriculum vitae of up to five A4 pages
• two supporting references of no more than one page each, one of which must be from your Dean/Divisional/Departmental Head or Head of School
• a high quality colour head and shoulder photo of 10 cm x 10 cm, 300 dpi resolution, taken against a white background (the awards team will arrange).

Evidence to support your claim should combine qualitative and quantitative data. In this Award category evaluative evidence that demonstrates sustained effective performance is critical. Evidence should be put in context wherever possible. For example, when referring to SETU or similar data, include the number of responses and cohort size in the data you report and provide results over a sufficient period to demonstrate sustained achievement and any positive trends.

Solicited and unsolicited student testimonials can be very persuasive when included judiciously but, again, need to be contextualised. Peer recognition of your contribution within and outside Deakin can also help substantiate your claim. This may include adoption of your ideas, professional development and conference invitations; invitations to join teaching and learning committees; awards, grants and fellowships; teaching and learning publications and media coverage.

Careful thought should be given to your choice of referees. A reference from an external expert can substantiate an application. You may find this diagram of evidence sources useful (263 KB).

Your mentor can advise you about the structure of the application, including which criteria you may wish to address, and the type and form of evidence that can be used to support claims.

KEY DATES