Monday 21-05-2018 - 12:05

The annual Students' Association Teaching Awards 2018 took place on Friday 18th May 2018 in the Re:Union Bar & Grill. The ceremony was opened by Professor Cam Donaldson, Pro Vice-Chancellor Research & Enterprise and Vice-Principal and hosted by Chris Daisley, Vice President SEBE.

The winners of this years Teaching Awards and the shortlist were decided by a panel each made up from student representatives, Full Time Officers and a member of staff within the University who has expertise within that particular area. Photos from the Teaching Awards.
 

Teaching Award for Inspirational Teaching Winner: Daniel Baxter

GCU students described this year’s winning staff member as being ‘incredibly passionate’ about their subject and who keeps their classes ‘interesting’ and ‘engaging’ with up-date ’industry news and topical event headlines’. His classes as being ‘interactive’ as well as ‘funny and enjoyable to listen to’. Something that leaves students feeling ‘motivated’ after each class and ‘excited’ for the next one. This staff member is, to quote one student, ‘one of those lecturers you’ll remember of the rest of your life’. 

Teaching Award for Valuable Explanation: Karen Robertson-Skene

GCU students described this year’s winning staff member as being an ‘amazing communicator’ who ‘doesn’t talk in jargon’ and presents information in a ‘clear’ and ‘easy to understand way’. GCU students also described this staff member as being someone who always ‘takes the time’ to help make sure every student understands the subject by using a variety of different approaches including ‘presentations’, ‘group work’ and ‘videos’. This staff member is to quote one student, ‘a first class lecturer’. 

Teaching Award for Excellence in Feedback: Andy Sharp

GCU students described this year’s winning staff member as being ‘prompt’ and ‘always on time’ when it comes to giving feedback on assignments.GCU students described this staff member’s feedback as being ‘encouraging’ and ‘useful’ in helping to ‘develop’ and ‘improve’ their ‘academic writing’ across all their modules. This staff member, to quote one student, is ‘fantastic’. 

Teaching Award for Outstanding Student Focused Teaching: Daniel Baxter

GCU students described this year’s winning staff member’s teaching style as ‘interesting’, ‘interactive’ and ‘engaging’. GCU students described this staff member as someone who is always ‘approachable’ and someone who ‘welcomes and encourages feedback’ on how to improve the learning experience for students. This staff members classes are to quote one student, ‘a joy to attend’. 

Teaching Award for Exciting Use of Technology: Mary Ballentyne

GCU students described this year’s winning staff member as someone who uses a variety of online resources to support learning process as well as someone who doesn’t overload students with too unnecessary information. GCU students described this staff member as someone who helps them feel ‘more confident’ on using GCU Learn (Blackboard). This staff member, to quote one student, ‘goes above and beyond to help them learn’. 

Teaching Award for Outstanding Support (Professional Services): Karen McDairmant

GCU students described this year’s winning staff member as being really ‘effective’ and ‘efficient’ in how they support students.GCU students described this staff member as being someone who is ‘friendly’ and ‘welcoming’, someone that always ‘takes the time to help’ students regardless of how busy they are. This staff member, to quote one student, ‘is so helpful in getting things solved’. 

Teaching Award for Outstanding Research Student Supervision and Support: Darinka Asenova

GCU students described this year’s winning staff member as someone who gives their students ‘timely and constructive feedback’. GCU students also described this year’s winning staff member as someone who goes out of their way to ‘encourage and support’ their students to both engage with other staff members and students within GCU’s research community, as well as with a range of continuing professional development opportunities. This staff member is all about, to quote one student, ‘the support and encouragement’.

Chris Daisley, Vice President SEBE, said "I would like to offer my warmest congratulations to all of this year’s winners and those who were shortlisted. This year we received a record total of 603 nominations from 284 different students, resulting in 176 GCU staff receiving a nomination. I would also like to recognise all those students that took the time to complete a nomination. This alone shows the differences staff can make to the experience of students here at GCU". All staff that were nominated in this year Teaching Awards will receive a certificate recognising this achievement.

 

Photos from the ceremony will be uploaded when they become available.