What is Teaching Excellence

The President's Awards for Excellence in Teaching recognise and reward excellence in teaching and facilitating learning in DCU.

It is not possible to offer a definitive definition of 'Teaching Excellence'. However, for the purpose of these awards, the TEU offers the following as a guide to the type of activities and qualities, which where appropriate, might contribute to Teaching Excellence and the support of Teaching Excellence:

• Use of methods that help students to develop as independent, critical thinkers.
• Approaches that stimulate creativity in students.
• Effective use of technology to enhance learning.
• Empathy, respect and support of students and the diversity that they bring.
• Confidence, enthusiasm and passion in the delivery of his/her subject area.
• A reflective approach to teaching/learning.
• Innovation in planning and design.
• Use of contemporary theory and practices relevant to the discipline area.
• Use of creative formative assessment (assessment during the course of the semester, that may or may not contribute to a student's overall mark for a module) in order to gauge the level of learning and adjustment of teaching on the basis of student feedback and results.
• Practice of offering students feedback on assessment outcomes that enhances learning and highlights areas for improvement.
• Evaluation of practice that improves and enhances the learning experience.
• Research activities that enhance the teaching and learning experiences of students and colleagues.
• An understanding of students and their needs.