University celebrates excellence in teaching

Alison Pierse from Lifelong Learning receiving her Exemplary Course Awards 2018-19 winners certificate during Graduation Week 2019.

Alison Pierse, Lifelong Learning Tutor in Art, has been awarded the 2018-19 Aberystwyth University Exemplary Course Award for her Art History distance learning module, Figuratively Speaking: The History of Western Figurative Sculpture.

Now in their sixth year, the Exemplary Course Awards recognise the very best learning and teaching practices taking place across the University.

The winning module was commended for its innovative approach to co-design with students, three-dimensional learning experience for students who might not be studying on campus, and for ensuring all aspects of the module was fully accessible for learners.

In addition to the winner, the following modules were Highly Commended:

• Distance Learning Team, Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences - Research Methods
• Dr Stephen Chapman, Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences - Future of Packaging
• Dr Alexandros Koutsoukis, International Politics - Behind the Headlines
• Dr Jennifer Wood, Modern Languages - Spanish Language (Beginners)

Dr James Woolley from the Learning and Teaching Enhancement Unit said: “The diverse range of teaching and learning styles evidenced in this year’s Exemplary Course Award applications reflects the innovative work that is taking place across the University, and the breadth of learning and teaching modes on offer to our students, including Distance Learning, Lifelong Learning, and On Campus modules.

“Congratulations to this year’s winner and those highly commended, each of whom demonstrates a solid understanding of their learner contexts and requirements, in addition to innovative approaches to course design and inspired use of tools to enhance their learning, such as Blackboard.”

The winners were presented with their awards at the University’s graduation ceremonies which took place from 16-19 July 2019.

Aberystwyth University was awarded Gold standard in the 2018 Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) and has been awarded the title of University of the Year for Teaching Quality in The Times / Sunday Times Good University Guide for 2018 and 2019.

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