2016 Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Programs that
Enhance Learning: Guidelines
1.
PURPOSE
1.1
2.
To recognise learning and teaching support programs and services that make an
outstanding contribution to the quality of student learning and the quality of
the student experience of higher education. One award is offered annually and is open to
program teams from faculties. The programs and services that receive these awards must
have demonstrated their effectiveness through rigorous evaluation.
CATEGORIES
There are eight Program Award categories as follows:
2.1
WIDENING PARTICIPATION
encompassing approaches to learning and teaching which enhance student
access, widen participation, and support progression.
2.2
EDUCATIONAL PARTNERSHIPS AND COLLABORATIONS WITH OTHER ORGANISATIONS
encompassing partnerships between universities, and universities and other organisations such as schools, professional bodies, businesses and industries - in collaborative approaches
to learning and teaching.
2.3
THE FIRST-YEAR EXPERIENCE
encompassing the academic and social transition to higher education, learning and teaching
within large student groups, and the quality of the first year student experience.
2.4
FLEXIBLE LEARNING AND TEACHING
encompassing approaches to learning and teaching that afford flexibility in
time, place and/or mode of learning.
2.5
INNOVATION IN CURRICULA, LEARNING AND TEACHING
encompassing innovations that encourage novel approaches to learning and teaching,
innovations that align assessment with curriculum design, innovations that encourage or
support multidisciplinary, research-based learning and teaching approaches, innovations
that utilise the potential of new and/or emerging technologies.
2.6
POSTGRADUATE EDUCATION
encompassing programs that focus on postgraduate students, postgraduate coursework,
learning and teaching, postgraduate research supervision and research higher degree
candidature, and postgraduate learning support.
2.7
SERVICES SUPPORTING STUDENT LEARNING
encompassing services directly related to student learning such as services for specific
groups of students, information access, course advising, language and learning support,
counselling and disability support.
Vice-Chancellor’s Awards for Programs that Enhance Learning
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2.8
3.
4.
5.
GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP AND INTERNATIONALISATION
including curriculum; student exchange; student experience; international recruitment; and
transition programs for international students.
SELECTION CRITERIA
All nominations for Awards for Programs that Enhance Learning will be assessed on the evidence
they provide in relation to the following criteria:
3.1
DISTINCTIVENESS, COHERENCE AND CLARITY OF PURPOSE
Extent to which the program has clear objectives and systematic approaches to
coordination, implementation and evaluation.
3.2
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.
3.3
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.
3.4
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.
ASSESSING CRITERIA
In assessing nominations against the four selection criteria, the assessors and the committee will
take into account:
a)
Evidence of the effectiveness of the program in formal and informal evaluation.
b)
The degree of creativity, imagination or innovation; and
c)
Evidence of the sustained effectiveness of the program.
ELIGIBILITY FOR NOMINATION
Nomination is open to all programs and services that enhance student learning. Programs are
intended to be broader than one or two subjects or a limited service that involves only a few
students. For example, programs may involve a service or program at the institutional, faculty or
school level, a program of study across a year or number of years, a service or program directed at
particular groups of students.
6.
ESSENTIAL DOCUMENTATION
All nominations for Awards for Programs that Enhance Learning must include the following
documents:
a)
Nomination form (Proforma provided);
b)
Written statement, including an overview and an argument addressing each of the four
selection criteria.
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7.
WRITTEN STATEMENT
The core element of a nomination for an Award for Programs that Enhance Learning is a written
statement which describes the program, and specifically addresses each of the four selection
criteria providing evidence to support their claims. The written statement must be presented in
the following order:
a)
Overview of the program and its context
b)
Statement addressing the assessment criteria and providing supporting evidence
The written statement is limited to 10 - A4 pages in total and should include all bibliographic
information that might be referred to in the submission. The limit will be strictly administered
with all pages in excess of 10 removed prior to being sent to members of the Awards Committee.
8.
9.
SUPPORTING TEACHING MATERIALS
While selection is based primarily on the written statement, nominees can choose to submit two
of the following supporting materials:
a)
Website (URL);
b)
a three minute video (which could include footage of the nominee talking about their
program, their teaching philosophy or interviews with 2 students) and/or
c)
The equivalent of 10 pages of printed material (Additional pages will be removed)
PRESENTATION
No template is provided for the submission but it must be clear and legible. Margins should be at
least 2cm with clear paragraph definition and the minimum acceptable font size is 11 point.
Applicants are strongly advised to use Calibri, Times New Roman or Arial fonts.
10.
NOMINATIONS
Nominations are to be made on the forms provided which are attached at the end of these
guidelines.
11.
NEED ASSISTANCE?
Additional advice to assist you in your application is available from staff listed below:






Associate Professor Joy Wallace, Faculty of Arts;
Dr Rachel Richardson, Faculty of Education;
Julia Lynch, Faculty of Business;
Dr Janelle Wheat Faculty of Science;
Professor Sandra Wills, PVC Division of Student Learning;
Your School-based Educational Designer.
Advice on processes and timelines is available from:

12.
Tania Cowgill, Administrative Officer: Teaching Awards and Grants, Division of Student
Learning
CHECKLIST FOR NOMINATIONS
12.1 Nomination Form (see 2 page template provided).
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12.2 Written Statement Including an overview and a statement addressing each of the four
selection criteria (10 pages).
13.
DEADLINES 2016
13.1 Completed applications to: Tania Cowgill, Administrative Officer: Teaching Awards and
Grants, Division of Student Learning by 30 May 2016.
13.2 University Curriculum, Learning & Teaching Committee meets by Videoconference in June
2016.
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Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Programs that Enhance Learning:
Nomination Form
Program name
Category for nomination
Please nominate ONE category. See the Guidelines for descriptions of each category
Tick box
()
Widening participation
Educational partnerships and collaborations with other organisations
The first-year experience
Flexible learning and teaching
Innovation in curricula, learning and teaching
Postgraduate education
Services supporting student learning
Global citizenship and internationalisation
Year the program started
Contact details (for leader or representative of the Program)
Preferred title
First name
Last name
School / Division
Telephone
Email address
Position (e.g. level B academic OR level 7 general)
Staff type (tick one)
 Academic staff
Gender (tick one)
Vice-Chancellor’s Awards for Programs that Enhance Learning
 Female
 General staff
 Male
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Please list names of other Program representatives (to a maximum of five) if applicable
Title
First name
Last name
Program representatives’ declaration
I/We (print name of principal representative) ______________________________________
agree to represent this Program for nomination for the Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Programs
that Enhance Learning.
Signature:
Date:
Head of School / Executive Director / Director’s signature
Signature:
Vice-Chancellor’s Awards for Programs that Enhance Learning
Date:
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