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The UTS Learning and Teaching Awards and Citations recognise the importance of learning and teaching for both undergraduate and postgraduate students within the framework of the UTS model of global practice-oriented education. They are aligned with the national teaching and learning awards and citations schemes, which were administered by the Australian Learning and Teaching Council until 2011, and will be administered by DEEWR from 2012. Many successful UTS applicants have gone on to win ALTC Citations or Teaching Awards.

Changes to the UTS Learning and Teaching Awards for 2011: Inclusion of applications related to first year experience initiatives in the Widening Participation category

The 2011 UTS Learning and Teaching Awards and Citations have very similar conditions to the 2010 scheme. While there are no new categories this year, and all of the 2010 categories remain, we welcome applications related to first year experience within the Widening Participation category.

Categories and eligibility

UTS Learning and Teaching Citations ($1,000) are awarded for significant and sustained contributions to student learning, student engagement and/or the student experience by individuals or teams. They are open to academic and support staff members, including staff employed on a casual or sessional basis. Citations recognise diverse contributions, therefore there are no specific categories.

Citation applications require a shorter submission document than for the UTS Learning and Teaching Awards (4 pages maximum, rather than 8 pages). Citation applicants should address only one, or at maximum, two of the five selection criteria. Applicants may apply for both an Award and a Citation in the same year, but will not be eligible for a citation if they win an award.

It is anticipated that in the 2011 year a maximum of 10 UTS Citations may be awarded. Eligible Early Career and Casual Academics are encouraged to apply in the Citations category. The Citations category may also be appropriate for enabling and support teams. Citation winners will be eligible to apply for a UTS Teaching Award in subsequent years. Citations winners may also be eligible to apply for an ALTC Citation in a subsequent year.

The UTS Learning and Teaching Awards are awarded in specific categories:

  • Team Teaching ($5,000) - for an outstanding contribution to learning and teaching or an exemplary and sustained innovation in learning and teaching through a collaborative, team based approach; the team can be of two or more staff and the application may be focused on team teaching in a single subject or on teaching by a collaborative team across a coherent group of subjects or program.
  • Individual Teaching ($3,000) - for an outstanding contribution to learning and teaching, or an exemplary and sustained innovation in learning and teaching by an individual member of academic staff
  • Early Career Teaching ($3,000) - for an excellent contribution to learning and teaching, or a very significant innovation in learning and teaching by an individual academic staff member within her or his first five years as an academic
  • Teaching by a casual or sessional staff member ($3,000) - for an excellent contribution to learning and teaching, or a very significant and sustained innovation in learning and teaching by casual or sessional staff member.
  • Internationalisation of teaching and learning ($3,000) - for an outstanding contribution to teaching and learning or an exemplary innovation related to aspects of internationalisation of teaching and learning; for example internationalisation of the curriculum, teaching and/or supporting international students, or teaching approaches that support diversity and cross-cultural learning. Internationalisation should be interpreted broadly as the integration of an international and intercultural dimension into teaching and learning, and could include language support.
  • Strengthening the UTS Model of Learning ($3,000 individuals, $5,000 course teams) – for an outstanding contribution to teaching and learning or curriculum design that exemplifies the UTS Model of Learning in course and learning provision and renewal (see UTS Strategic Plan 2009-2018 (PDF 101.8KB)). Applications may be made by individuals or course teams. Submissions from individuals should address at least one of the three features of the UTS model. Submissions from course teams should address all three features of the model in relation to a course or significant course component (e.g. a major, sub-major or stream).
  • Postgraduate supervision ($3,000) - for an outstanding contribution to postgraduate supervision, or a significant support program or innovation that improves the learning experiences of postgraduate research students.
  • Widening participation ($3,000) - for an outstanding contribution to learning and teaching, or an exemplary innovation which has benefited Indigenous students or students who have experienced educational disadvantage including students from low socio-economic status backgrounds. This may include applications related to first year experience initiatives.
  • Academic Support ($3,000) - for an outstanding contribution or an exemplary innovation in academic or student support services or the provision of resources to facilitate learning and enhance the student experience.

The committee will normally make one award in each category annually but may decide to make no award, or more than one award, in each category in a particular year. It may also recommend that a citation be given to an application that is seen as worthy of recognition but needing further development in one or more of the broader award categories.

Eligibility for Learning and Teaching Awards and Citations

Individual applicants may apply for any of the award categories, except for team teaching. Individuals must have at least three years of service at UTS, with the exception of casual or sessional teachers. Casual Academics with at least four semesters of teaching at UTS may apply for UTS Citations, however they must have at least six semesters of teaching at UTS to apply for the UTS Learning and Teaching Awards.

Team applications may be made in any of the award categories, except for individual and early career teaching and teaching by a casual or sessional staff member. Team leaders must have at least three years of service at UTS. Academic, support, professional and casual staff with at least two years service are eligible to be included as team members.

The Early Career Teaching Award is available to continuing or fixed term academic staff members within their first five years of teaching provided they have at least three years of service at UTS. Service may include service as a casual teacher prior to their current appointment.

The Learning and Teaching Award for Casual or Sessional Teaching is available to casual or sessional academic staff members with at least six semesters service at UTS.

Previous award winners are not eligible for renomination in the same category, or for nomination for Citations, for a period of three years following receipt of an award. Staff members who have indicated, prior to the closing date, an intention to resign or retire from the University will not be eligible for nomination. Staff members who were awarded a Citation in the 2010 year may apply for a UTS Learning and Teaching Award in 2011 or subsequent years. Award applicants may apply to be considered in more than one category, but may not win more than one Award.

Criteria for Selection

The Learning and Teaching Awards and Citations seek to recognise the breadth of activities that contribute to students' experiences within and outside their courses at UTS. In looking for significant, outstanding or exemplary contributions, the Selection Committee is seeking evidence of contributions that go beyond normal good practice to display a sensitivity to students' needs and make well-informed, distinctive and sustained contributions to students' learning, student engagement and the student experience at UTS.

Applications are judged both on the evidence presented against the chosen criteria, and the extent to which the contribution has been sustained over time. In most cases it would be expected that the contributions which are the subject of a UTS Citation submission would be sustained over a period of two to three years. For UTS Teaching Awards it would be expected that the contribution had been sustained over a period of four to five years. In both cases this duration may include a year of preparation such as contribution to a related curriculum renewal project, or another relevant form of preparation.

Applicants for UTS Citations must address one (and no more than two) of the following five criteria, choosing those most relevant to their contributions. There is no advantage in choosing two criteria.

Applicants for UTS Teaching Awards in the Team or Individual Categories must address at least three of the following five criteria. Applicants for other categories of the Awards must select at least two of the five criteria.

  1. Approaches to teaching and learning and/or to teaching and learning support that influence, motivate and inspire students to learn
  2. Development of curricula and resources that reflect a command of the field
  3. Approaches to assessment and feedback that foster independent learning
  4. Respect and support for the development of students as individuals
  5. Scholarly activities and service innovations that have influenced and enhanced learning and teaching. This includes contributions to the development of good learning and teaching practices through leadership or mentoring

In judging the citations and awards, the Committee shall consider the extent to which the evidence submitted confirms the nominee's achievement of the chosen criteria.

Applications must include evidence of significant and sustained contributions to students' learning, engagement and/or experience of university. Depending on the criteria chosen, this evidence is likely to include some or most of:

  • evidence of a scholarly approach, framed by a conscious philosophy of teaching or student support.
  • clear descriptions of particular practices relevant to the contribution(s), with concrete examples.
  • achievement of positive student outcomes relevant to the contribution. Examples could include: evidence in student work of the development of graduate attributes such as independent learning, critical thinking, communication, professional dispositions; improvements in learning of particular subject matter; enhanced student engagement; improvements in success for particular groups of students; student achievements such as prizes or awards.
  • positive student feedback, from SFS or other relevant indicators depending on the contribution. Evidence is also likely to include how the applicant(s) have responded to feedback over time in order to refine/improve the contribution.
  • peer review or recognition of the contribution
  • scholarly communication of the contribution, for example through Faculty or UTS seminars or Teaching and Learning forums, conference papers or publications
  • for leadership contributions, impacts on broader teaching or support practices in a course or program that contribute to student outcomes
  • evidence of internal recognition of the contribution within UTS and or evidence of external recognition, for example by professional bodies, employers or other universities

Nominations

Nominations for both Learning and Teaching Awards, and Citations may be initiated by students, former students, colleagues or the nominee. Students should have been taught by the person or team or have used resources identified in an academic support nomination within the previous three years.

Nominations should be forwarded to the Chair of the UTS Learning and Teaching Awards Selection Committee, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Teaching, Learning and Equity).

Nominations shall consist of:

Nominations for citations

  1. Applicants or their nominator(s) must submit a completed nomination form (DOC 97KB) which includes:
    • A short written statement by the nominator summarising the outstanding characteristics of the contributions of the nominated individual or team (no more than 250 words). The statement should include a title of not more than 25 words which will be used as the citation. The nomination form must be signed by at least one eligible nominator. The statement must refer to the criterion selected for the application.
    • A written statement of consent to the nomination signed by the nominee/s (including all team members for team nominations).
    • Two references, of no more than one A4 page each, provided by people who are able to make informed comment on the applicant's contributions. These may be people within UTS, or outside of UTS if relevant. (As the Chair of the Selection Committee will contact your Dean and/or Associate Dean for confidential written comments, it is preferable to ask other referees for the A4 reference which you will submit with your application.)
  2. A written statement addressing the relevant selection criteria in a way that demonstrates the quality of the contributions.
    For Citation applications the statement will be no more than four A4 pages in not less than 12 point font with minimum 2 cm page margins.
  3. Student Feedback Surveys for at least the last two years (where relevant) for teaching in coursework subjects. Please use the summary report available from PQU for promotion applications. Equivalent evaluation evidence should be provided for applications that relate to student support contributions. Postgraduate supervision applicants are advised to use the RSFS, available from PQU.

The Chair of the Selection Committee will seek confidential written comments on the nomination from the Dean and Associate Dean (Teaching and Learning)/Head of School or Unit Director. Applicants are strongly advised to contact their Dean and relevant ADean/Head prior to submitting their application

The nomination and supporting information should focus on evidence of learning and teaching activities undertaken at UTS.

Nomination for UTS Learning and Teaching Award

  1. Applicants or their nominator(s) must submit a completed nomination form (DOC 97KB) which includes:
    • A short written statement by the nominator summarising the outstanding characteristics of the contributions of the nominated individual or team (no more than one single-sided A4 page). The statement should include a title of not more than 25 words which will be used as the citation. The nomination form must be signed by at least one eligible nominator. The statement must address the selected criteria.
    • A written statement of consent to the nomination signed by the nominee/s (including all team members for team nominations).
    • Two references, of no more than one A4 page each, provided by people who are able to make informed comment on the applicant's contributions. These may be people within UTS, or outside of UTS if relevant. (As the Chair of the Selection Committee will contact your Dean and/or Associate Dean for confidential written comments, it is preferable to ask other referees for these A4 references.)
  2. A written statement addressing the relevant selection criteria in a way that demonstrates the quality of the contributions.
    For Learning and Teaching Award applications the statement will be no more than eight A4 pages in not less than 12 point font with minimum 2 cm page margins.
  3. Student Feedback Surveys for at least the last two years (where relevant) for teaching in coursework subjects. Please use the summary report available from PQU for promotion applications. Equivalent evaluation evidence should be provided for applications that relate to student support contributions. Postgraduate supervision applicants are advised to use the RSFS, available from PQU.
  4. Supporting documentation of up to eight A4 pages or one media resource (website, audio-visual resource etc) that is particularly illustrative of the contribution may be included. Please note that if a website or equivalent is provided, the committee will not view more than the equivalent of eight pages. If electronic media is included, please ensure that 12 copies are submitted).

The Chair of the Selection Committee will seek confidential written comments on the nomination from the Dean or relevant DVC, who has the discretion to request comments from the Associate Dean (Teaching and Learning)/Head of School or Director of the relevant area. Applicants are strongly advised to contact their Dean and relevant ADean/Head prior to submitting their application.

The nomination and supporting information should focus on evidence of learning and teaching activities undertaken at UTS.

Short listed nominees may be interviewed at the discretion of the selection panel.

Selection Committee

The Selection Committee is convened by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Teaching, Learning and Equity) and includes:

  • Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Teaching, Learning and Equity) - Chair
  • An undergraduate student
  • A postgraduate coursework student
  • A previous winner of a UTS Learning and Teaching Award
  • A Professor or Associate Professor nominated by Academic Board
  • A Fellow of UTS

Staff members from the Institute for Interactive Media and Learning and the Equity and Diversity Unit attend the selection committee meeting(s) as observers.

Notification of Award

Nominees will be notified of the results of the Committee's deliberations after these have been approved by the Vice-Chancellor.

Closing date for nominations for UTS Learning and Teaching Awards and Citations

Twelve (12) hard copies of all documentation, and all supplementary materials, including electronic media, such as DVD's or CD's, should be forwarded to the Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Teaching, Learning and Equity) by 10:00 am Monday 31st October, 2011.

An electronic copy of the application should also be submitted to: Marilyn.Harris@uts.edu.au by the closing date.

Nomination for National and State Awards

Award winners and short listed nominees may be considered for nomination by UTS to the national awards schemes such as the ALTC Citations and Awards for Australian University Teaching and/or the Australian College of Educators (ACE) NSW Quality Teaching Awards in the following year.

The ALTC Awards are highly competitive and involve an intensive selection process to assess the achievements of applicants (see http://www.altc.edu.au (opens an external site)). UTS citation and award winners will be eligible to be considered for UTS nominations for ALTC Citations ($10,000). UTS award winners will be eligible to be considered for UTS nominations for ALTC Awards for Teaching Excellence ($25,000) or Awards for Programs that Enhance Learning ($25,000) and ALTC Citations.

The Australian College of Educators (ACE) NSW Quality Teaching Awards are open to permanent, part-time and casual government and non-government pre-school, early childhood, primary, secondary, university, TAFE and community education teachers (see http://www.austcolled.com.au (opens an external site) - State Branches/NSW/Awards). They recognise accomplished teaching practice through a rigorous process involving referees' reports, professional learning portfolios and workplace visits.

Applications

Please contact Katrina Waite (Katrina.Waite@uts.edu.au) or Assoc Prof Jo McKenzie (Jo.McKenzie@uts.edu.au) in the Institute for Interactive Media and Learning for further information and advice on making an application. A workshop on applying for UTS Teaching Awards and Citations will be advertised on Staff Notices.