ALTC Citations for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning

Citations recognise and reward the diverse contribution that individuals and teams make to the quality of student learning. Citations are awarded to academic, general and sessional staff, and institutional associates, who have made significant contributions to student learning in a specific area of responsibility over a sustained period.

There are no specified categories for citations. A concise citation is used to describe the distinctive contribution of each nominee/s. Each citation is unique and reflects the diversity of ways in which university staff and associates contribute to learning and teaching in higher education.

Citations therefore provide an opportunity for distinctive institutional missions, values and priorities in learning and teaching to be recognised. Citations will be awarded for a wide range of contributions to student learning, where this contribution is recognised for achievements within the nominating institution. Citations will be awarded for both direct and indirect contribution, whether the contribution is general or more specific.

Individual Citations of 25 words describing the distinctive contribution to student learning of each recipient are published to acknowledge the achievement.A concise citation will describe the distinctive contribution of the nominee(s). The individual citations are unique and reflect the diversity of ways in which university staff and associates contribute to excellent learning and teaching in higher education.

Selection Criteria

Nominees are required to select one or two selection criteria, determined by the nature of their contribution to student learning. The nomination will be judged on the quality of the nomination against the criteria and the extent to which they show evidence (in the written statement) that their contribution has:

1. influenced student learning, student engagement or the overall student experience;
2. gained recognition from fellow staff, the institution, and/or the broader community; and
3. been sustained over time.

The selection criteria follow:

1. Approaches to the support of learning and teaching that influence, motivate and inspire students to learn. This may include fostering student development by stimulating curiosity and independence in learning; contributing to the development of students’ critical thinking skills, analytical skills and scholarly values; encouraging student engagement through the enthusiasm shown for learning and teaching; inspiring and motivating students through high-level communication, presentation and interpersonal skills; enabling others to enhance their approaches to learning and teaching.

2. Development of curricula, resources and services that reflect a command of the field. This may include developing and presenting coherent and imaginative resources for student learning; implementing research-led approaches to learning and teaching; demonstrating up-to-date knowledge of the field of study in the design of the curriculum and the creation of resources for learning; communicating clear objectives and expectations for student learning; providing support to those involved in the development of curricula and resources; contributing professional expertise to enhance curriculum or resources

3. Approaches to assessment, feedback and learning support that foster independent learning. This may include integrating assessment strategies with the specific aims and objectives for student learning; providing timely, worthwhile feedback to students on their learning; using a variety of assessment and feedback strategies; implementing both formative and summative assessment; adapting assessment methods to different contexts and diverse student needs; contributing professional expertise to enhance assessment and/or feedback

4. Respect and support for the development of students as individuals. This may include participating in the effective and empathetic guidance and advising of students; assisting students from equity and other demographic subgroups to participate and achieve success in their courses; influencing the overall academic, social and cultural experience of higher education

5. Scholarly activities and service innovations that have influenced and enhanced learning and teaching. This may include showing advanced skills in evaluation and reflective practice; participating in and contributing to professional activities related to learning and teaching; coordination, management and leadership of courses and student learning; conducting and publishing research related to teaching; demonstrating leadership through activities that have broad influence on the profession.

Written Statement

The core element of a nomination for a citation is a written statement in which the nominees describe their contribution to student learning. It is essential that nominees specifically address one or two of the selection criteria, and provide evidence in the written statement to support their claims in line with this criterion/a.

The written statement is limited to four A4 pages in total and should include all information that might be referred to in the submission. The four page limit is strictly enforced, with all pages in excess of the 4 pages removed before being sent to Assessors.

The written statement should have four components, presented in this order:

1. Proposed citation (maximum 25 words) describing the distinctive contribution of the nominee
2. Summary of particular contribution and specific context for this
3. Statement addressing chosen selection criterion/a (one or two)
4. Statement providing evidence for the ways in which the contribution has influenced student learning, engagement and/or the overall student experience, been sustained over time, and been recognised by fellow staff, the institution, and/or the broader community

Nominees may wish to refer to previous year's citations for examples (See ALTC website [1])

References (two)

1. Two references of no more than one A4 page each, to be provided by people able to comment on the nominee’s contribution to student learning against the nominated selection criterion/a
2. One referee must be the head of the nominee’s faculty, department, school or administrative unit
3. If the nomination relates to a team, the references should apply to the team
4. References longer than one page will be recopied and only the first page provided to the assessors