University honours five innovative and enthusiastic teachers
14 May 2013
Five University staff across the four faculties have been presented with the Teaching Excellence Award, which recognise their achievement in teaching, learning and the student experience.
Dr Mark Brown, Senior Lecturer (Teaching Focussed), School of Social Sciences, Faculty of Humanities, won thanks to his innovative approaches to the delivery of social statistics, which can be a daunting area for students. Mark not only overcomes these fears through empathy, understanding and the use of a down-to earth approach and meaningful real-world datasets, he also engenders an enthusiasm and a thirst for knowledge in the area. He has also been asked to be a lead instigator on a large grant funding initiative, which is rare recognition for a teaching focused lecturer.
Annie Morton, Senior Language Tutor, School of Arts, Languages and Cultures, Faculty of Humanities, was honoured for her innovative, inspirational and imaginative approach to the teaching of the French language, which includes peer-assisted grammar sessions and the use of song as a linguistic learning tool. Annie is also an innovative user of Blackboard and has developed weekly online tests that reinforce learning and knowledge that have been very well received.
Dr Sarah Heath, Reader, School of Chemistry, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, has made outstanding contributions to the development and enhancement of outreach activity in her School. Sarah’s passionate belief in the need to engage children’s interest in the subject has inspired her to develop outreach activities in Chemistry that are wide-ranging, have broad appeal, and have been reported upon nationally. In addition, Sarah has introduced creative and innovative ways of delivering teaching material to students within the University, for example by adapting the balance of practical and lecture-based material, and this has been very well received.
Dr David Kirby, Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Life Sciences,was recognised for a unique, engaging and truly innovative teaching style and content that has been based on thorough analysis and market research about student interest. The student experience on his programme is further enhanced by David’s ability to attract influential and highly regarded external speakers. He has also raised his own, and by extension the University’s, profile by acting as a spokesperson for a number of science media campaigns.
Dr Sarah Collins, Lecturer, Manchester Medical School,was recognised for outstanding and innovative work, in a relatively short space of time, as the School’s academic lead for Early Clinical Experience and for Clinical Communication, and in particular relating to the use of the School’s Consultation Skills Learning Centre. Sarah’s use of novel and imaginative interactive teaching sessions has energised the Centre. The panel was also impressed with Sarah’s contribution to Peer Assisted Student Support activity.
Dr Andrew Whitworth, a Senior Lecturer in the School of Education, also received a commendation.
Launched in 2005-06, the Teaching Excellence Awards recognise individuals’ achievement in relation to teaching, learning and the student experience over recent years. The award criteria are based on those used by the Higher Education Academy for the National Teaching Fellowship Scheme, and include promoting and enhancing the student experience, raising the profile of teaching excellence, and showing a commitment to ongoing professional development.
Both academic and related colleagues teaching at undergraduate and postgraduate levels are eligible for these awards, each of which consists of a £5,000 grant to be used by recipients over a period of up to three years to develop their teaching or career.
Professor Kersti Börjars, Associate Vice-President for Teaching, Learning and Students, and the Chair of the Selection Panel, said: “It was a pleasure to chair the panel that considered this year’s Teaching Excellence award nominations. This year, a total of thirteen nominations came through from Faculties after their initial sifts. Each nomination had its strengths, and the panel’s decisions were therefore very difficult. The high quality of the nominations is testament to the quality of the teaching right across the University and to the dedication of our colleagues to providing an excellent student experience.
"I look forward to seeing how our winners use their awards to build upon their already impressive achievements. As a University, we will also make sure that the ideas and practical approaches of the award winners are shared with colleagues to inspire others to adapt and adopt them and also to inspire colleagues to seek nomination for teaching awards in the future."