Tuesday 08-08-2023 - 08:39

Teaching is powerful when done well. It can open up students’ minds to new ways of thinking, shift their perspectives, give them useful skills and ignite a passion for learning. This is what the data from the GCU Students’ Association Teaching Awards verbalises. For this blog, I used the comments from the Teaching Awards 2022-23 nominations to analyse how GCU students’ perceive excellent teaching. I specifically examined the comments from the four shortlisted lecturers for the Terrific Teaching award for themes that students noted made them exceptional educators. Without further ado, here are the four shortlisted GCU lecturers and what students said made them great teachers.

Creating an Engaging and Inclusive Learning Environment

Quote from Teaching Awards nomination highlighting best practice Jacob Koenig, School of Computing, Engineering and Built Environment & shortlistee for Terrific Teaching 2022- 23 "He is exceptional at including and engaging all students in the overall learning process. He encourages class participation and makes sure that every student feels comfortable contributing to the discussions. He creates a safe and inclusive learning environment where every student's voice is heard and valued. He recognises that students come from diverse backgrounds and experiences, and he incorporates this diversity into the learning process. He encourages students to share their perspectives and experiences and incorporates them into the class discussions, making the learning process more engaging and relevant."

A remarkable teacher understands the value of an inclusive and engaging learning environment. They encourage active participation and foster a sense of belonging. By employing an informal teaching style, characterised by open discussions and interactive tutorials, they ensure that every student grasps the subject matter. Furthermore, they make an effort to learn students' names, personalising the educational experience and forging stronger connections.

 

Clear Explanation with Tangible Relevance:

The ability to lucidly explain intricate concepts is a hallmark of exemplary teaching. Outstanding teachers use relatable examples, real-life scenarios and analogies to make abstract ideas understandable. By immediately linking these explanations to relevant coursework, they offer students a practical understanding of how concepts apply to their studies. This approach not only enhances comprehension but also fuels curiosity and engagement.

Quote from Teaching Awards nomination highlighting best practice Laura Hall, School of Health and Life Sciences & shortlistee for Terrific Teaching 2022-23 "Class presentations are great and she always makes an effort to provide relative, real- life examples that helps contextualise my learning. She continually asks the class for feedback. This shows she really cares about the standard of our learning."

 

Passionate and Supportive Mentors:

Exemplary teachers not only have a deep passion for their subject matter but also foster an approachable and supportive learning environment. Their unwavering dedication and enthusiasm inspire students to develop a profound appreciation for the field of study. By sharing personal struggles, experiences, and triumphs, they create a sense of camaraderie and motivate students to persevere. These exceptional mentors actively welcome student input, encourage questions, and supply prompt feedback, ensuring that no query is considered insignificant. Through their passion and approachability, they inspire and empower students on their educational journey

Quote from Teaching Awards nomination highlighting best practice Kate McAulay, School of Computing, Engineering and Built Environment & shortlistee for Terrific Teaching 2022-23 "You can tell that she really wants students to understand the content that she is teaching by giving easy to understand examples using everyday things in place of complex chemical ideas to help the information sink in and using her pet pug in questions and answers, interactive online tutorials are also a great help and the fact that she shares stories from when she struggled with parts of chemistry in school/university compared to where she is now really inspires me to keep going when things seem confusing or overwhelming."

Multimedia Integration and Variety:

Good teaching incorporates a range of instructional methods to accommodate students' diverse learning preferences. Utilising multimedia tools, such as presentations, videos, and interactive online tutorials, facilitates a dynamic and engaging learning experience. The integration of real-world examples, news stories, and visual aids keeps the content fresh, interesting, and relevant.

Quote from Teaching Awards nomination highlighting best practice Jim Reilly, School of Health and Life Science & shortlistee for Terrific Teaching 2022-23 "He uses examples like things that aren’t “academic” …such as thing that are everyday life. When explaining voltage of a cell membrane he used a battery to help explain it better. And for nerve transmission he used a Mexican wave example".

Teaching at the university level plays a pivotal role in shaping students' educational journeys. As demonstrated by the nominations for the Terrific Teaching Award, exceptional teaching involves creating an inclusive and engaging environment, explaining complex concepts clearly, and inspiring students through passion and real-world relevance. These outstanding educators of the Terrific Teaching Award Shortlist go beyond the traditional methods, utilising multimedia, personalised approaches, and diverse learning tools to ensure students' comprehension and engagement. The Students of GCU would like to thank and recognise all the Terrific Teachers at GCU and give our heartfelt congratulations to those who have been nominated and shortlisted for this year's Award. The winner will be announced at the Teaching Award Ceremony on 14^th September 2023. All GCU staff and students are invited to attend, and you can book your free ticket here.