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New award scheme to celebrate good teaching at the University of Leicester

Love your academic?

New award scheme to celebrate good teaching at the University of Leicester

Issued on 15 March 2010

Student leaders at the University of Leicester are going that extra mile to show their appreciation for their academic tutors – by launching an I Love My Academic award scheme.

It will recognise innovation, style and methodology employed by tutors to enhance the teaching and learning process at the University which is already ranked among the foremost in the country for student satisfaction.

Students’ Union Academic Affairs Sabbatical Officer, Alex Smith, who is responsible for implementing the award scheme, commented:

“Not only am I a big advocate of celebrating good teaching, I think that students should be more active learners within their learning communities. For students to think about what makes a good teacher means that they are engaging with their learning in a positive way.

“In my opinion, an academic who is worthy of a nomination will be someone who has gone above and beyond what is expected of them as a teacher. If I were nominating, I would think about how my learning had been enhanced through the particular style or methodology of a teacher.”

The award scheme encourages students at the University of Leicester to nominate academics they have found to be particularly engaging, innovative or supportive in their teaching. Nominees will gain recognition from the Students’ Union and one from each of the University’s four colleges will be awarded ‘Academic of the Year’ from their College.

The response to this new scheme has been overwhelming; with the Students’ Union Education Unit already receiving more than 700 nominations for academics across a diverse range of disciplines. Academics have also expressed their gratitude for the award scheme which highlights the impact academics can have on the University careers of their pupils, enhancing learning through particular teaching styles and methods as well as offering support and extra tuition if needed.

Professor Annette Cashmore, Director Centre of Excellence for Teaching and Learning in Genetics, said:

“I think that this is a fantastic idea. Good teaching and learning is of prime importance to the University, and students and staff are in partnership in this. I know that, of all the awards and accolades that a good teacher can get, to be recognised by students in this way is the one that many academics would value the most. It also highlights and raises awareness of good teaching and learning to all members of the University. This is so vital in an institution that has synergy between research and teaching at its heart.”

As well as putting forward a name, students also have the opportunity to write a supporting statement explaining the reasons for their nomination. Winners will be selected based on the quality of the supporting statement accompanying the nomination, not according to the number of nominations they receive.

Note to Newsdesks:

For more information, contact Alex Smith on 0116 223 1128 or via the University of Leicester Press Office pressoffice@le.ac.uk.