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2009 Vice-Chancellor's Awards for Teaching Excellence

Introduction

Monash University recognises and rewards exemplary teaching through the Vice Chancellor's Awards for Teaching Excellence. The Vice-Chancellor of Monash University makes available up to four awards for teaching excellence by individuals or teams. Each award consists of a medallion, a permanent citation on the Records and Archives website , and a grant of $5,000 to be used at the discretion of the award winner to further his or her teaching interests. Certificates of Special Commendation may be awarded to nominees who demonstrate superior performance but who are not award winners.

Team nominations are required to demonstrate the value of the team and how this has influenced student learning.

Procedures for applying

Eligibility

Nominees must have completed one year's employment at Monash University at the time of nomination. Nominees should demonstrate systematic approaches to developing their teaching, which requires sustained teaching experience although this could be at another university prior to joining Monash University . Applications are evaluated against the criteria set out below.

Previous award winners are not eligible . Previous unsuccessful nominees can be considered.

Each faculty will identify and submit up to three nominees (see table below).

Faculty
Maximum number of nominees
Art & Design, Law, Pharmacy
1
Education, Information Technology
2
Arts, Business & Economics, Engineering, Medicine, Science
3

We encourage nominations of individuals and teams of any size. Nomination should be based on assessment of available evidence of teaching excellence.

Assistance is available through CALT until the due date. Candidates are encouraged to contact Dr Judith Rochecouste or Joy Whitton for support in constructing applications

Lodgement information and application form

Essential documentation

The following essential documentation is required to complete the application:

  • Nomination form (proforma provided). pdf format (17kb) and Word format (22kb).
  • Written statement, including an overview and an argument addressing each of the selection criteria

Nominees' written statement should provide information about their teaching portfolio highlighting outstanding contributions to teaching. The Selection Committee will expect these applications to demonstrate nominees' strengths based on the selection criteria.

Written statement should:

  • not be longer than 8 sides of A4 paper.
  • use 12 point Times New Roman font,
  • use normal character spacing
  • use single line spacing
  • have margins of 25mm all around.

The Selection Panel seek a reference from the nominee's head of department.

Selection criteria

Nominees' applications will be assessed on the basis of evidence which supports their claims against the following five criteria:

  • Approaches to teaching that influence, motivate and inspire students to learn
  • Development of curricula and resources that reflect a command of the field
  • Approaches to assessment and feedback that foster independent learning
  • Respect and support for the development of students as individuals
  • Scholarly activities that have influenced and enhanced learning and teaching

Selection criteria document can be downloaded here (pdf format) or here (Word format)

Optional supporting materials

In line with Australian Awards for University Teaching Council (ALTC), selection will be based on the written statement addressing the selection criteria. However, nominees can include teaching materials supporting their claims against their written statement. The relevance of this material must be made clear in the written statement.

Nominees may use a maximum of two of the following:

  • website (URL)
  • CD ROM* or DVD*
  • video or audio tape
  • 10 pages of printed material

*Digital material should be provided via a single URL.

Only one copy of supporting materials should be sent.

Selection Panel

The Vice-Chancellor's Teaching Excellence Awards Panel reviews all applications and makes recommendations. The Panel comprises the Vice-Chancellor or nominee, the Director of the Centre for the Advancement of Learning and Teaching (CALT) or nominee, one student representative nominated by the University's student unions, one staff member nominated by the Monash branch of the National Tertiary Education Union, a nominee of the Academic Board and a previous award winner

Closing date

Full application must be received no later than 4pm 10 August 2009 via email to Christianna Braithwaite marked 'Vice-Chancellor's Teaching Excellence Award'.

Award announcement date

Winners will be announced by the Vice-Chancellor at the Vice-Chancellor's Showcase of Teaching Excellence on Monday, 14 September 2009.

The awards will be presented at graduation ceremonies for faculties of the award winners.

Obligations for award holders

During the following year, award winners and special commendation recipients will be invited to participate in workshops, seminars and presentations for the University. Award winners will also be encouraged to submit an application for the ALTC Awards for Australian University.