Achievements in learning and teaching

To coincide with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Teachers' Day, Aberystwyth University celebrated its achievements in Learning and Teaching on Friday 3rd October. Whilst Aberystwyth is a research-active institution, it also prides itself on its high quality and innovative teaching.
Attendees of the event included holders of Learning and Teaching Enhancement Fund and Teaching Excellence Awards, Outstanding Graduate Teaching Assistants and Post Graduate Certificate of Teaching in Higher Education holders. Each of these groups has demonstrated professional development or good practice in teaching and supporting student learning.

Dr Jo Maddern, Learning and Teaching Development Co-ordinator at Aberystwyth University said:
“Part of the Aberystwyth University Learning and Teaching Strategy and Mission is to be a first-class teaching and research University which is responsive to the needs of the local community and those of Wales and the wider world.

“We are used to thinking about research activities in terms of international impact, but arguably with increasing internationalisation we should be doing the same for our teaching activities. Indeed, when we stop and think about it we can visualise the effects of our teaching rippling out and touching a much wider geographical area than we might at first realise.

“The 2008 message on World Teachers' day paints a clear picture of the value of teachers to society, arguing that in achieving global goals of human development, teachers matter!

"The award and certificate holders have worked very hard to develop their teaching. We need to celebrate their achievements and the contributions they make.”

The University generates in excess of thirteen million pounds a year from its teaching activities and high levels of student satisfaction attest to the hard work that goes into continually developing innovative practice in teaching and supporting student learning across the university.

UNESCO World Teachers Day is held annually on 5th October and commemorates teachers and teaching organisations worldwide. It aims to mobilise support for teachers at all levels of the education system and the vital contributions they make to global education and development.

A range of teaching and supporting student learning courses, workshops and sessions are organised for university staff through the Centre for the Development of Staff and Academic Practice. For more information contact: Dr. Jo Maddern, Learning and Teaching Development Coordinator on (01970) 622117 / staff.dev@aber.ac.uk
Teaching Excellence Award holders 2008
Dr Basil Wolf, Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences; Mr Chris Loftus, Department of Computer Science; Dr Kelly Grovier, Department of English; Mr Gareth Hoskins, Institute of Geography and Earth Sciences; Dr Helen Roberts, Institute of Geography and Earth Sciences.

Outstanding Graduate Teaching Assistant Award holders 2008
Miss Laura Guillaume, Department of International Politics; Mr Stephan Petzold, Department of International Politics; Miss Jennifer Pedersen, Department of International Politics; Miss Shea  Esterling, Department of Law.

Learning and Teaching Enhancement Fund Project Finishers
Professor John Harvey, School of Art; Dr Simon Cox, Institute of Mathematics and Physics; Dr Dylan Gwynn Jones, Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences; Mrs Kate Wright, Information Services / Aberystwyth Learning and Teaching Online; Mrs Pauline Worthington, Language and Learning Centre.

Postgraduate Certificate for Teaching in Higher Education
Ms Yang Ying, School of Management and Business; Dr Jamie Sexton, Department of Theatre, Film and Television Studies; Dr Elin Royles, Department of International Politics; Mrs Rosemary Cann, School of Education and Lifelong Learning; Dr Daniel Brown, Institute of Mathematics and Physics; Ms Margaret Ames, Department of Theatre, Film and Television Studies; Dr David Ceri Jones, Department of History and Welsh History; Dr Heidi Scott, Institute of Geography and Earth Sciences; Mr Richard Godfrey, School of Management and Business; Dr Ioan Fazey, Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences; Dr Hazel Davey, Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences; Dr Martin Wilding, Institute of Mathematics and Physics; Dr William Slocombe Department of English; Dr Helen Roberts  , Institute of Geography and Earth Sciences; Dr Gareth Hoskins, Institute of Geography and Earth Sciences.