Thanks to an initiative from Dr J McPherson and the generosity of honorary graduates, the University established an annual award for innovative teaching in 1994. The intention is to provide an opportunity to recognise and reward innovation and excellence in any aspect of teaching within the University. The amount of the award in 2002/2003 will be approximately £1,000.

Applications for the award, based on the criteria below, are now invited from members of staff. Nominations, which can be made by any individual teacher or group of teachers, should be confined to two sides of A4 paper and should be sent to the Academic Secretary by Monday 21 April 2003.

Information on past Award winners' projects may be found on the University's web site at:

http://www.dundee.ac.uk/learning/qeu/qualindex/goodprac.htm

Nominations will be considered by a Sub-Committee of the Academic Standards Committee and the recipient(s) of the award will be announced before the end of the current academic session. Any queries concerning the award should be directed to Mr A T Davidson, Director of Quality Assurance, Cross Row (Ext 4308).

CRITERIA

Nominations will be assessed on the demonstration of achievement in one, or more, of the criteria below. These criteria are deliberately wide and varied, and are not weighted or ranked in order of importance. It is emphasised that nominations are not expected to satisfy all criteria: outstanding achievement against one of the criteria would be entirely appropriate. It should be noted that nominations are not restricted to absolutely new teaching innovations, given the need for supporting evid ence to substantiate the effectiveness of the innovation.

(a) Enhancement of the quality of student learning, for example, by one or more of the following:

• promoting "deep" rather than "surface" learning
• developing students' abilities to be independent and life-long learners
• promoting a rich and varied learning environment
• developing students' personal transferable skills

(b) Enhancement of student achievement and/or progression either within a course or degree programme, or beyond university

(c) Enhancement of efficiency, for example, by one or more of the following:

• enabling students to use their time more effectively
• enabling staff to use their time more effectively
• making best use of facilities and resources
• making effective use of computer aided learning techniques

(d) Enhancement of provision and opportunities for students with special needs

(e) Enhancement of the reputation of the University, for example, by publishing on innovation in teaching

(f) Enhancement of good teaching practice within the University, for example, innovations which could be applied or adapted across a wide range of subjects, or in a variety of situations.

SUPPORTING CASE

(a) identify which criterion/criteria the nomination addresses;

(b) explain the motivation for the innovation, and the resulting outcomes, in addition to describing the innovation itself by outlining the previous situation with identification of perceived specific problems or opportunities for improvement, the natu re of the innovation and the outcomes resulting from the innovation; and

(c) provide evidence of student feedback.