This year, Flinders University Students Association (FUSA) is piloting the first Student Led Teaching Awards at Flinders University. Student Led Teaching Awards (SLTAs) are a way for students to recognise and raise the profile of teaching while celebrating best practice. Popular overseas, SLTAs are becoming more common in the higher education landscape in Australia. They are a positive way in which the student voice is heard on teaching.
Student Council President Sean Henschke says “it’s crucial that we recognise those who have provided a standout experience for students. I’m particularly excited to see what students have to say about what teaching styles work best for them and the different ways that students are taught here.”
Interim Pro-Vice Chancellor (Learning and Teaching Innovation) Professor Chris Brebner is supportive of the Awards: “Flinders’ strategic plan, Making a Difference: The 2025 Agenda is built on a foundational ethos that is student centred, and as an institution we strive to champion the student voice. We want to hear about our students’ learning experience, and the meaningful interactions they have with their teachers. We see our students as active partners in learning and teaching, and through Student Led Teaching Awards we can learn what students value and what they see as excellent, impactful teaching. With this knowledge we can celebrate the achievements of some of our best teachers and share and promote good practice. The Centre for Innovation in Learning and Teaching is proud to support the Flinders University Student Association in the development and implementation of this exciting initiative.”
In 2021, FUSA is calling for students to nominate staff that they believe represents the best of teaching at Flinders. The best of the best will take out the University Ducks. The categories have been decided by students, and the judging panel will be composed of student (Topic and Course) representatives from across the Colleges.
The five categories in 2021 are: ‘College Student Led Teaching Award’, ‘the TA that Saved the Day’, ‘Most Supportive Supervisor’, ‘Best in FLO’ and the University Ducks.
Background information on SLTAs can be found at https://www.studentledteachingawards.org.uk/.
Students can submit a nomination at: https://fusa.edu.au/slta/.
Applications are open now and close on Friday 12 November.