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.
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3.
4.
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.
2.8
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.
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.
5.
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.
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6.
ESSENTIAL DOCUMENTATION
All nominations for Awards for Programs that Enhance Learning must include the
following documents:
(a)
(b)
7.
Nomination form (Proforma provided);
Written statement, including an overview and an argument addressing each
of the four selection criteria.
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)
(b)
Overview of the program and its context
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.
SUPPORTING TEACHING MATERIALS
While selection is based primarily on the written statement nominees can choose to
submit two of the following supporting materials:
(a)
(b)
(c)
9.
Website (URL);
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
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.
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.
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Advice on processes and timelines is available from:
Lesley Reid, Executive Assistant, Division of Student Learning
11.
CHECKLIST FOR NOMINATIONS
11.1
11.2
12.
Nomination Form (see 2 page template provided).
Written Statement Including an overview and a statement addressing
each of the four selection criteria (10 pages).
DEADLINES 2015
12.1
Completed applications to: Lesley Reid, Executive Assistant, Division of Student
Learning by 30 May 2015.
12.2
University Curriculum, Learning & Teaching Committee meets by
Videoconference in June 2015.
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Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Programs that Enhance Learning:
OFFICIAL CSU NOMINATION FORM
Program name
Category for nomination
Please nominate ONE category. See the Guidelines for descriptions of each category
Tick box
()
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
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
8. 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
 Academic staff
(tick one)
2015 V-C’s Award for Programs that Enhance Learning
 General staff
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 Female
Gender (tick one)
Title
First name
 Male
Last name
Please list names of other Program representatives (to a maximum of five) if applicable
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Program representatives’ declaration
Head of School / Executive Director / Director’s signature
Signature:
Date:
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:
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