Institute of Teaching and Learning
Deakin University
The key to successful teaching and learning is our teachers. The Deakin University Awards for Teaching Excellence aim to recognise and celebrate our best teachers. They provide a positive incentive for all staff to develop their teaching and to strive towards excellence. In addition, the awards will assist the University to take a proactive role in the development of nominations for the Australian Awards for University Teaching. Receipt of a Deakin University Award for Teaching Excellence would indicate a strong contribution to teaching and learning in relation to a promotion application.
There are four categories of teaching awards at Deakin as follows:
These awards recognise individual staff or teams of staff who have made an outstanding contribution to teaching and learning at Deakin University and have clearly demonstrated excellence in teaching in key identified areas. The award consists of a grant of $5,000 which may be used to further the awardee's teaching (e.g. travel to a conference, purchase of a specific piece of equipment) and a framed certificate.
Successful nominees for the Deakin University Award for Teaching Excellence will, where appropriate, be considered for nomination for an ALTC award in either the Awards for Teaching Excellence category or the new Citations for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning category and will be given assistance by the University, through the Institute of Teaching and Learning, to prepare the nomination.
All staff who are awarded a Deakin University Award for Teaching Excellence in a year will automatically be considered for the Vice-Chancellor's Award for Distinguished Teaching for that year and, if they do not obtain the Vice-Chancellor's Award for Distinguished Teaching, they will be considered again for the next two years. These awards will be made each year to recognise the distinguished contribution made by the staff. The award consists of an additional grant of $5,000, framed certificate and a trophy. Staff successful in receiving these awards will be expected to cooperate with the University in nominating them for the most appropriate category of the Australian Learning and Teaching Council (ALTC), formerly Carrick Institute, Award for Australian University Teaching.
The University has a bequest from the Estate of the late WJC Banks which has been used to establish this award. The late William John Collings Banks was a philanthropist with connections to northern rural Victoria. He had a strong interest in Australian youth which was supported by generous donations to the Australian Youth Hostels Association and numerous educational institutions in Victoria.
Those members of staff who are awarded the Vice-Chancellor's Award for Distinguished Teaching in a year will automatically be considered for the WJC Banks Award for Distinguished Contributions to Teaching and Learning for that year. The award consists of a grant of $1,000 and a framed certificate.
These awards recognise achievements by individuals and teams for specific projects in relation to teaching and learning. The project may involve the development of new programs, provision of support services, innovative approaches to the enhancement of learning or any other activity which has improved teaching and learning at Deakin. The award consists of a grant of $5,000, which may be used to further the aims of the project or for the professional development of the staff involved in the project, framed certificate and a trophy. Projects given the Vice-Chancellor's Award for Outstanding Achievement in Teaching and Learning will, where appropriate, be nominated for an ALTC Award for in the appropriate Awards for Programs that Enhance Learning category or the new Citations for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning category and will be given substantial assistance by the University, through the Institute of Teaching and Learning, to prepare the nomination.
All academic staff holding full-time, fractional, continuing or limited term appointments at Deakin University are eligible to nominate themselves for the Deakin University Award for Teaching Excellence. Recipients of an award are ineligible to nominate for the subsequent two years. Nominations will only be accepted if they have the support of the relevant Dean/Head of Division.
These awards recognise individual or team excellence in teaching. Staff members nominate themselves and should address only three of the following five criteria which are those adopted by the ALTC for the National Teaching Awards for Teaching Excellence:
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.It is stressed that nominees should only address any three of the above five criteria. Nominees' applications will not be strengthened by addressing four or all five of the criteria since the last two addressed will be ignored.
Any staff member or group of staff may nominate themselves for the Vice-Chancellor's Awards for Outstanding Achievement in Teaching and Learning. Nominations will only be accepted if they have the support of the relevant Dean/Head of Division.
These awards recognise achievements through specific projects/activities undertaken by individual staff or teams in relation to teaching and learning. Both academic and general staff may be nominated for these awards and projects may be directly related to teaching or to the provision of services in relation to teaching. Nominees should address each of the following four criteria which are those adopted by ALTC for the Teaching Awards for Programs that Enhance Learning:
Distinctiveness, coherence and clarity of purpose
Extent to which the program has clear objectives and systematic approaches to coordination, implementation and evaluation.Influence on student learning and student engagement
Extent to which the program targets identified needs and directly or indirectly enhances student learning, student engagement and/or the overall student experience of higher education.Breadth of impact
Extent to which the program has led to widespread benefits for students, staff, the institution, and/or other institutions, consistent with the purpose of the program.Concern for equity and diversity
Extent to which the program promotes and supports equity and inclusiveness by improving access, participation and outcomes for diverse student groups.
DISCLAIMER: The categories and criteria listed, above, are for the 2008 VC's teaching awards. Staff are advised to check the Deakin Staff Awards website in December 2008 to determine whether any changes have been made to the categories and criteria for the 2009 teaching awards.
For assistance in developing an application please contact Dr Dale Holt (ITL) and refer to the following guidelines. Phone (03) 5227 8183 dale.holt@deakin.edu.au.
Guidelines for Teaching Excellence Awards Applicants (35KB)
Guidelines for Teaching and Learning Achievement Awards Applicants (Teams) (32KB)
