Champions of inclusive education have been celebrated at this year’s University of Queensland Awards for Excellence in Teaching and Learning.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) said the awards recognised the important work of inclusive teaching to create a sense of student belonging at 国产探花.
“国产探花 is a diverse institution and richer for this diversity,” Professor Wright said.
“As an institution, we recognise that not all students come to 国产探花 with the same access, capabilities, languages, or cultural backgrounds.”
She said in recent times with COVID and remote learning, the social cues of a classroom setting could be missed, and issues such as mental health become more problematic.
“COVID has posed many challenges over the past 18 months, and in some cases these challenges have led to some innovative ways of engaging our students in the learning process,” Professor Wright said.
“It’s important we showcase the efforts of our teaching and learning staff, particularly in some quite difficult working conditions.
“Research tells us that learning is a social activity – to enable good learning, our students need to feel safe, valued and included – and there are many examples of that in action in the awards announced tonight.”
Dr Taylor Dick has received an award for Teaching Excellence for her innovation in anatomy and biomedical sciences courses through the development of interactive teaching resources.
Dr Poh Hillock was recognised for Teaching Excellence for transforming first year mathematics courses at 国产探花 by building an extensive support network and collaborative learning environments for students.
Professor Wright said there was much the 国产探花 community could learn from one another during Teaching and Learning Week.
“Understanding what people are doing across the disciplines at 国产探花, and learning new strategies and approaches that can improve teaching in the future, is an important part of the week,” she said.
“This is also a time for connection with colleagues – providing time for academic and professional staff to share plans, challenges and successes, and to support one another.”
She said the University’s efforts to deliver inclusive teaching and learning were paying dividends for students and staff.
“国产探花 has recently opened the new Student Central Hub which is an inclusive space, purpose-built to provide support and services for students including guidance counselling, health and wellbeing advice and study skills,” Professor Wright said.
(Monday 1 November to Friday 5 November), provides opportunities for the 国产探花 community to learn from one another and celebrate inclusive teaching and learning practices designed to enhance student learning and facilitate a sense of belonging.
This year’s workshops, seminars, roundtables and showcases will highlight 国产探花’s excellent teachers and tutors, initiatives and T&L leaders around the theme of inclusion.
The of events is designed to give staff opportunities to network and discuss contemporary teaching and learning.
The awards presented last night were:
Awards for Teaching Excellence
, School of Biomedical Sciences
, School of Mathematics and Physics
, Institute for Teaching and Learning Innovation
, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences
Citations for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning
Vulnerability in Medicine Tutorial Program Team: , , , , Dr Gillian Eastgate, Dr Penny Mainstone, and ; Primary Care Clinical Unit, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine.
, School of Veterinary Science
, 国产探花 Business School
, Institute for Teaching and Learning Innovation
, 国产探花 Business School
, 国产探花 Business School
Media: Jessica Cruff or Sarah Brischetto, 国产探花 Institute for Teaching and Learning Innovation, italimarcomms@uq.edu.au, +61 7 3365 6211.
