The University Co-operative Bookshop Excellence in Teaching and Community Award

Overview

The purpose of this award is to promote, recognise and reward teaching practices that offer a fulfilling and well-rounded student-centred experience including access to academic and support resources and appreciation of the University of Sydney Community.

Description

The Co-op Bookshop will award an individual member of the University teaching community who can demonstrate outstanding achievement in student and community-focused teaching.

Recommendations for awards will be made by a committee appointed by the Co-op Bookshop. The winner will be awarded $1000 that shall be used to help towards teaching resources.

To encourage enhancement of teaching practices, the recipient of the prize will be required to speak at a student function outlining their commitment to teaching, learning and educating potential academics on teaching and leading at a tertiary level. The award certificate will be presented at this function.

For publicity purposes, information on the prize recipient, along with their photograph and an abstract from their application will be made public to the University of Sydney and University Co-operative Bookshop publications, including websites.

Scope

All individual undergraduate and postgraduate coursework teachers and course co-ordinators are eligible to apply, who have taught at the University of Sydney for at least one full semester. Group applications will not be accepted.

Previous winners who received awards more than three years ago are eligible to apply. Previously unsuccessful applicants are also eligible to apply.

2009 Award

Congratulations to Dr Slade Matthews from the Faculty of Medicine on winning the 2009 Award for his design of a course for Pharmacy students.

Current Topics in Pharmacology has been developed to assist students to develop an analytical approach to the assessment of the use of drugs in health care and provides a first class learning experience which potentiates student motivation. The award panel considered the online components of the course to be innovative and motivational and designed to engage students with the material.

Dr Matthews was applauded by the award panel for his innovation and creativity and for his involvement with the CSIRO’s Scientists in Schools program where he visits schools and passes on his enthusiasm for pharmacology and science in general.

2008 Award

Congratulations to Dr Caitilin de Berigny Wall (aka Dr onacloV) from the Faculty of Architecture, Design and Planning on winning the inaugural University Co-op Bookshop Excellence in Teaching and Community Award.

Dr onacloV won the award for her teaching in Digital Video and Production (DVDP) which is part of the postgraduate masters course in digital media in the Discipline of Design. This Unit of Study teaches students theoretical and philosophical enquiries behind the genre of documentary. Students work with the local Indigenous community and create three-minute digital documentaries. The course was applauded by the award panel for its creativity and imagination, and was recognised as a powerful demonstration of student and community-focused teaching. The lecturer was praised for the innovative dissemination of her teaching into the wider community, in particular the Indigenous community in Redfern.