UniServe 2008 Award

Recognising excellence in Science Teaching

• Integrated use of Information and Communication Technologies
• Enhanced learning experiences
• Improved student learning outcomes

Pearson Education is Australia’s leading publisher of educational products. Pearson Education publishes and distributes materials ranging from traditional printed media to fully integrated online course technology. Pearson Education supports and promotes imported products from Addison Wesley, Benjamin Cummings, Longman and Prentice Hall imprints, and develops outstanding products from local authors. Pearson Education supports the UniServe Science aim to promote the use of technology in science teaching and learning.

UniServe Science at The University of Sydney is a clearinghouse for information about the use of technology in science teaching and learning. It was established in 1994 to offer support and advice to teachers in Australian universities. UniServe Science aims to promote the use of new technologies in science teaching; advise what teaching materials are available; evaluate science teaching materials; publicise quality teaching materials; and encourage co-operation between developers and users of teaching materials.

Pearson Education UniServe Science Teaching Award recognises teaching that improves student learning outcomes via the innovative and integrated use of information and communication technologies (ICT).

ICT innovations may take a variety of forms, for example:

• use of ICT to replace traditional experiments or experiences which were difficult or expensive to deliver for large numbers or by distance
• development of ICT-based teaching materials which have made a significant impact on student learning
• teaching initiatives which make use of products developed elsewhere (the submission must emphasise the educational principles underlying the innovative use of the product in the entry’s specific context)
• development of flexible delivery within on-campus courses

The award is

• a prize of $2000 to be presented at the annual UniServe Science Symposium
• registration for the Symposium
• a keynote address at the Symposium

Dates

Entries must be in writing and received by 28th March 2008 to UniServe Science. The winning entry will be announced in July 2008.

Who is eligible?

• Teachers in Australian universities who have implemented a teaching innovation in a science discipline during 2007
• Individual or team entries are welcome. All entrants will receive feedback from the judges.

Essential criteria

• The teaching initiative must be innovative in the learning opportunities that it provides for the student or a new way of using information and communication technologies in teaching.
• The teaching initiative must be embedded in a university science teaching environment.
• The teaching initiative must be based on currently recognised sound educational principles.
• There must be evidence of teaching and learning effectiveness derived from appropriate evaluation of the project.
• There must be evidence of enhanced learning opportunities and improved learning outcomes.

Submissions must

• offer evidence that the initiative is truly an innovation in the learning opportunities offered, or a new way of teaching
• demonstrate, using literature, that the initiative is pedagogically sound
• include evidence that appropriate evaluation has been carried out. Submissions must show outcomes of evaluation and include evidence derived from appropriate evaluation – refer to the CUTSD Handbook for learning-centred evaluation of computer-facilitated learning projects in higher education at http://www.tlc.murdoch.edu.au/archive/cutsd99/handbook/handbook.html
• include evidence that the innovation has had a significant impact on the learning experience or learning outcomes of students.

Format of Submission

• The submission must be no longer than five pages in 12pt font.
• The submission must address the essential criteria under appropriate headings and also include an abstract, aims and a description of the innovation.
• If the innovation involved the development of a piece of software do not include the software with the submission. This may be requested later.

Conditions

• Entrants must be currently employed within an Australian university.
• No correspondence will be entered into.
• The judges’ decision is final and they reserve the right not to make an award if the criteria are not met.
• Science teaching being evaluated must have taken place or been implemented within an Australian university throughout 2007.
• The Award examines innovative science teaching. For the purposes of the Award, ‘science teaching’ means teaching within the disciplines of university biochemistry, biology, chemistry, computer science, geology, geography, mathematics, statistics, microbiology, physics, psychology, or related science disciplines such as agriculture, engineering and veterinary science.
• Winners and entrants may be requested to be available for publicity purposes.
• Submissions will also be assessed by Pearson Education for commercial publication or distribution. Pearson Education hopes that entrants will feel encouraged to discuss publication or distribution with Pearson Education. No guarantees of publication or distribution are undertaken.

Click here to download the application form (PDF 51KB).