Citations for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning (COCSL): Tutors

General Eligibility

• Application is open to individuals, not teams, who are part-time or sessional.
• Tutors, demonstrators, institutional associates or industry fellows, academic title holders, clinical education staff, and/or professional practice supervisors who teach may apply.

Course Coordination activities fall outside the scope of this award. If your evidence primarily asserts your excellence in Course Coordination as a sessional or part-time staff member, you are encouraged to apply for a COCSL rather than a T-COCSL.

• All applications must relate to contributions to student learning at The University of Queensland that have been sustained for a period of at least three (3) semesters (not necessarily continuously). There is no requirement to meet a minimum number of teaching hours per semester.
• Previously unsuccessful T-COCSL award applicants are eligible to reapply.

Eligibility of previous recipients

• Previous winners of a University of Queensland T-COCSL are not eligible to reapply.
• Previous winners of University of Queensland COCSL, ATE, and APEL and/or AAUT COCSL, ATE, and APEL are not eligible to apply.

T-COCSL applicants are invited to address one of the following categories, determined by the nature of their contribution to student learning. Please note that all course coordination activities fall outside of the scope of this award.

Expressions of interest and applications will be assessed on evidence provided in relation to the below categories: 

• Assists students to make effective connections between theory and practice.
• Promotes learner engagement in innovative or creative ways.
• Creates an inclusive learning environment for diverse learners. 
• Provides quality formal and/or informal feedback to students in class and/or on assessment tasks.

Evidencing your contribution

Expressions of interest and applications for T-COCSL will be assessed against the responses to the criteria, and the extent to which the submission shows evidence that the applicant’s teaching has: 

• Impacted student learning, student engagement or the overall student experience demonstrated in student testimonials, or student improvement in results, and/or strong SETutor results.
• Shown creativity or innovation, irrespective of whether the approach involves digital technologies.
• Been sustained over time (min. three (3) semesters of teaching). 
• Gained recognition from students, staff, School, Faculty, and/or the University.
• Demonstrated use of scholarship, or research or professional learning or other evidence-informed approaches as the basis for effective practice 

All applications will be assessed relative to opportunity. You can attach a brief summary (max 200 words) of any factors you would like to be taken into consideration by the committee. 

Refer to the information session resources: Addressing a Learning Challenge (PDF, 165.5 KB) and Evidence for your application (PDF, 107.1 KB) when drafting an expression of interest or full application.

Expression of Interest (EOI)

You must submit your Expression of Interest and Summary of Evidence by 5pm, 29 April 2024.

The EOI online form includes the following components:

• Applicant details
• Citation Statement: a 25-word summary of your contribution to student learning.
  • The citation should avoid jargon and include the discipline or field of work and your distinctive contribution. It should be written in third person and inform the broadest possible audience about your work.
• Written Component
  • Overview of the contribution and context (max. 300 words): This section is provided online in the application portal. The overview should describe your students and teaching context, your contribution to student learning and engagement, and the resulting impact on students learning or experience.
  • Summary of the evidence to address the chosen assessment criterion: Should be provided on one (1) A4 page and be written in bullet point format. The summary of evidence must include examples of the evidence. A list of the evidence that might be used to support a full application is not sufficient and must include detailed examples of that evidence in order for the EOI to be successful.
  • Reference List (i.e. List of Works Cited) must be on a separate page (aim for no more than four (4) references in your reference list).
• SETutor Report for 3 teaching semesters from any year, as appropriate to the application. You can include a short explanation supporting this document if desired; and one written advocate statement from a UQ Teaching Focussed or Teaching and Research Academic.
  • If no SETutor Reporting is available, please submit 2 advocate statements from 2 different UQ Teaching Focussed or Teaching and Research Academic. 

Application

A Shortlisting Committee will appraise expressions of interest according to the published criteria and invite eligible applicants to provide a detailed application by 26 July 2024.

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to a workshop facilitated by ITaLI where advice and guidance will be given on the format and content of their T-COCSL application.

A Selection Committee will appraise applications according to the published criteria and make recommendations for awarding commendations and citations to the University Teaching, Learning and Student Experience Committee for approval.

1:1 Consultations

Applicants who need 1:1 support are recommended to request a consultation with ITaLI staff.

Information session

8 April 2024 at 2pm, online

This session will provide an overview and introduction to Teaching and Learning Awards at UQ, alongside tips for structuring an effective expression of interest for tutors only. 

It will provide an overview of the eligibilty requirements, expectations for the scope of the award, and opportunity for tutors to ask questions about applying. Email teaching.awards@uq.edu.au to register for the session.

Writing a Teaching and Learning Award application workshop

This session is open to shortlisted applicants only, and will be held in June.

The purpose of this workshop is to provide applicants with guidance on the format and content of their application and discuss tips for a successful application. 

Award writing session

This session is open to shortlisted applicants only, and will be held in July.

The purpose of this session is to provide applicants with time and space to work on their draft application, with ITaLI staff and previous UQ award winners available to provide advice and clarification.