Learning and Professional Development Centre

Recipients

Congratulations go to the recipients of the University's Teaching Excellence Awards for 2012-13:

To view previous recipients, please click here

Falko Drijfhout

Falko Drijfhout has introduced a range of teaching methods to help students understand and enjoy Chemistry. These include the use of videos, models, clicker technology, project and problem-based learning. His many student nominations testify to the value of these methods. His willingness and approach to offering academic support are also positively noted by both his students and his peers in the School.  

Beyond the classroom, Falko has played a key role in recent new curriculum developments, particularly at postgraduate level and for CPD courses. He maintains an on-going commitment to his development as a teacher, through study, by innovation and through active membership in discipline-based networks nationally and in Europe.

Mark Davys

Mark Davys’ commitment to his students, to good teaching and the subject of law means that he continuously looks for ways to improve and develop his work in the classroom, online and in published learning resources on the topic of Land Law. His students and peers comment on the clarity and value of his teaching resources and his support for their work and learning.

In the Law School, he leads the Teaching and Learning Forum which gives a space for teaching and learning matters to be discussed. More widely he has contributed to the national legal education field through his links with the Higher Education Academy Subject Centre, UKCLE, and through work with publishers.

Jackie Waterfield

Jackie Waterfield has taught health professionals for more than twenty years. Her work with practitioners studying at Masters level has included the development of assessments by portfolio that have professional relevance and evidence high-level academic study. Additionally, her use of e-learning materials and e-activities serves to bridge the theory-practice gap and creates a virtual student community.

Beyond her discipline, Jackie also teaches on the MRes in Social Science and supervises EdD students. Nationally Jackie contributes to the physiotherapy profession through her work with both the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy and the Health and Care Professions Council.

Nicholas Seager

Nicholas Seager has taught English at Keele for nearly four years. During that time, he has moved from learning with and from colleagues to being a valued member of the team, who shares his experiences and expertise with others – at Keele through TLHEP mentoring, and more widely by supporting newcomers to the discipline nationally.

His nominees testify to the success of Nick’s own aspiration to enlighten and empower students, which he achieves through a judicious mix of supporting and stretching students, and sharing his passion for literature.

Matthew Wyman

Matthew Wyman is a Senior Teaching Fellow in SPIRE. Matthew’s approaches to teaching include the thoughtful incorporation of technology to improve learning and access to resources. The panel were particularly impressed by project work that developed students’ practical political skills by combining theory with practice and career development education. The results of this, and of other initiatives, were commended for their significant impact on student engagement and student performance over a number of years.

More widely, Matthew routinely disseminates his work to an audience beyond Keele, within his discipline and beyond. Matthew’s role as team leader developing the Keele graduate attributes has allowed his expertise and commitment to developing students’ skills to be brought to bear for a wider impact. The graduate attributes, part of the Distinctive Keele Curriculum, are now manifest in every programme of study at Keele.

Marilyn Andrews

In addition, the Panel determined to recognise the outstanding contribution of the retiring Pro Vice-Chancellor (Education and Student Experience) by offering an Honorary Keele Excellence Award to Professor Marilyn Andrews.

Nominees

Nominate

Nominations now closed!

Any staff who teach, supervise or support learning can be nominated or apply for a Keele Award for Excellence in Learning and Teaching, individually or as a teaching team. The four annual awards take the form of certificates awarded at a Graduation Ceremony and a sum of £1,000.

The scheme is run by the Learning and Professional Development Centre in collaboration with Keele Students Union and the Keele Postgraduate Association.

This year, nominations have reached a record breaking number of over 400 for over 200 staff.

Apply

Applicants were asked to submit:

Part 1- a 3000 word case for excellence;

Part 2- a two page summary record of their teaching.

Part 1 The case for excellence needs to be made in no more than 3000 words and be presented in 12 point text, sans-serif font, on numbered pages with the word length clearly stated on the first page. It needs to address the three criteria. In the case of a team application, use one statement per application, not one per person. Evidence for criterion 1 may include reference to (a) student nomination(s), if available. Evidence for criterion 2 may include a statement of support from one colleague, at Keele or elsewhere, or from a line manager. It might include evidence of team work and the dissemination of good practice.

Part 2 comprises is a summary of the applicant's track record(s) in teaching and/or the support of learning. It must not exceed two sides of A4 per person (12 point text, sans-serif font). The summary should include the range of activity, teaching experience and any institutional and national roles in relation to learning and teaching.

Staff who are in ‘early career’ in respect of teaching are encouraged to apply for a separate category of Early Career award(s). Early Career here means up to and including 5 years of teaching in HE (full time or part time). The five years may include any years of teaching as a postgraduate student, but such years do not have to be counted. Please state at the top of your application if yours is for an Early Career Teaching Excellence Award, and include the number of years of teaching being considered. Applications for an Early Career Teaching Excellence Award will not be expected to have a significant institutional or national profile.

All teachers who have been nominated by their students or their peers will have received a letter inviting an application. Other teachers who have not been nominated may also apply and a campus announcement will invite applications. Teaching teams are welcome to apply jointly for an award, to share a prize.

Criteria

The criteria for the Keele Excellence Awards 2012-13 were:

1. An ability to influence learners* positively, to inspire them and to enable them to achieve their goals or intended learning outcomes;
2. An ability to influence and inspire their colleagues (at Keele or, ideally, more widely) in their teaching, learning and assessment practice, by example and/or through the dissemination of good practice;
3. An ability to demonstrate a reflective and informed approach to teaching and/or the support of learning.

*Note: Learners includes any Keele students and staff.

Process