Awards Program 2014: Assessment Report
A total of 97 nominations for Australian Awards for University Teaching were received in
2014. Of the nominations received, 71 were for Awards for Teaching Excellence and 26 for
Programs that Enhance Learning. A summary of the nominations received and their results
is at Table 1.
Table 1: Summary of nominations and results for 2014
Nominating
institutions
Successful
institutions
Nominations
recommended
by the Strategic
Advisory
Committee
2014 Awards for Teaching Excellence
26
12
16
16
2014 Awards for Programs that
Enhance Learning
18
7
8
8
Nominations received
Nominations
approved by
the Minister
The Minister for Education approved 16 Awards for Teaching Excellence, and 8 Awards for
Programs that Enhance Learning. A list of 2014 award recipients is at Appendix A.
All nominations were assessed by at least two assessors, using a scale of 1 to 4 (where 4 is
the highest). Twenty-eight assessors from 21 eligible institutions were recruited to complete
the assessment.
Nominations for Awards for Teaching Excellence were assessed on the evidence provided
that addressed the five criteria listed below, each of which was accorded equal
consideration.
1. Approaches to teaching that influence, motivate and inspire students to learn
2. Development of curricula and resources that reflect a command of the field
3. Approaches to assessment and feedback that foster independent learning
4. Respect and support for the development of students as individuals
5. Scholarly activities that have influenced and enhanced learning and teaching.
When reviewing nominations against the criteria, assessors and the Committee considered:
1. the extent to which the claims for excellence are supported by formal and informal
evaluation
2. the extent of creativity, imagination or innovation, irrespective of whether the
approach involves traditional learning environments or technology-based
developments
3. information contained in Student Feedback Questionnaires, references and
selected teaching materials submitted by the nominee
Assessors also considered the contribution to Indigenous education made by nominations
for the Neville Bonner Award for Indigenous Education and in the Early Career categories.
The career stage of each nominee was considered when assessing criterion five.
Nominations for Awards for Programs that Enhance Learning were assessed on evidence
provided that addressed the following four criteria, each of which was accorded equal
consideration.
1. Distinctiveness, coherence and clarity of purpose
2. Influence on student learning and student engagement
3. Breadth of impact
4. Concern for equity and diversity
When reviewing nominations against the criteria, assessors and the Committee considered:
1. evidence of the effectiveness of the program in formal and informal evaluation
2. the degree of creativity, imagination and innovation
3. evidence of the sustained effectiveness of the program
General comments on nominations
Assessors were invited to complete a survey indicating their view of the quality of the
nominations. The overall quality of the nominations was ranked good or excellent by over
67 per cent of the 28 assessors who completed an evaluation of the assessment process. Of
assessors surveyed, 74 per cent agreed that the applicants understood and met the
selection criteria in the nominations. The assessors commented that videos generally gave
them more in depth knowledge of the nomination. Content, rather than quality, of videos
was considered most important. Videos should not be provided as a marketing exercise.
Nominations could be improved by:
Evidence
x
x
x
x
providing evidence beyond the normal pedagogical expectations, preferably with
sustainable and nationally recognised impacts
validating the data by using a variety of sources, which might include qualitative,
quantitative, internal and external sources
providing a broader range of evidence, with enhanced quality, not only within the
nominations but also in the supporting documentation
strengthening scholarly base by using literature and/or pedagogy and addressing all
criterion with details and fewer discrepancies
External review
x
x
receiving more institutional recognition and support, particularly support by referees
to show impacts beyond own institutions and faculties
including review or statements from peers, critical friends or colleagues outside the
home institutions
Impact
x
x
x
extending innovative ideas from own discipline to a broader context of educational
practice, with supportive evidence
increased attention on student learning and graduate attributes
better linking the supplementary evidence to the impact on student learning in the
written statement
Appendix A
2014 Awards for Programs that Enhance Learning
Widening Participation
x
Widening Tertiary Participation for Students from Pasifika Communities, Griffith
University
Educational Partnerships and Collaborations with Other
Organisations
x
Indigenous Cultures and Health, Curtin University
The First-Year Experience
x
First Year Advisor Network, Murdoch University
Innovation in Curricula, Learning and Teaching
x
x
UNSW Medicine Program, The University of New South Wales
Interprofessional Learning Modules: 'Learning Together to Work Together', The
University of Newcastle
Postgraduate Education
x
University of Queensland Business School MBA, The University of Queensland
Services Supporting Student Learning
x
Griffith English Language Enhancement Strategy, Griffith University
Global citizenship and internationalisation
x
School of Community Health Overseas Workplace-learning Program, Charles Sturt
University
2014 Awards for Teaching Excellence
Biological Sciences, Health and Related Studies
x
x
x
Associate Professor Michael Calver, Murdoch University
Dr Louise Lutze-Mann, The University of New South Wales
Dr Susan Rowland, The University of Queensland
Early Career
x
x
x
Dr Leopold Bayerlein, University of New England
Mr Chris Browne, The Australian National University
Dr Danny Liu, The University of Sydney
Humanities and the Arts
x
x
Dr Brydie-Leigh Bartleet, Griffith University
Dr Janette McWilliam, The University of Queensland
Law, Economics, Business and Related Studies
x
x
x
Professor Stephen Colbran, Central Queensland University
Associate Professor Rachael Field, Queensland University of Technology
Dr Johanna Macneil, The University of Newcastle
Physical Sciences and Related Studies
x
x
x
Associate Professor Kieran Lim, Deakin University
Associate Professor Dann Mallet, Queensland University of Technology
Dr Chris Tisdell, The University of New South Wales
Social Sciences
x
x
Associate Professor Tonia Gray, University of Western Sydney
Associate Professor Leonie Rowan, Griffith University