LJMU Teaching and Learning Academy formally launched
A new academy, set to become LJMU’s focal point for teaching and learning has been launched at one of the largest institutional teaching and learning conferences for higher education in the UK. The LJMU Teaching and Learning Academy was formally opened by Professor Marva Barnett, Director of the Teaching Resource Center at University of Virginia, at LJMU’s Teaching and Learning Conference.
This year’s two day event showcased the work and thinking of academic and professional service staff, covering a broad range of higher education teaching and learning topics.
Keynote speakers at the Conference included Alexi Marmot, Professor of Facility and Environment Management at University College London, who outlined the role of ‘disruptive technology’ and the development of new learning spaces; and Ron Barnett, Emeritus Professor at the UCL Institute of Education, London who, in his presentation, examined how we have developed a notion of the university and explored the ideas available for the university of the twenty-first century.
The Academy will provide leadership to enhance all aspects of the LJMU student experience: encompassing the transition from school, through university and into the workplace. It will also disseminate learning and findings to the wider higher education sector in addition to promoting, rewarding and recognising excellence in teaching and learning.
Professor Peter Byers, LJMU Pro-Vice-Chancellor Education said:
"The LJMU Teaching and Learning Academy represents, and is relevant to, everyone within the institution; academics, professional services and students, working together as a community to achieve common student-centered objectives within a clear strategy of educational enhancement. It demonstrates our position as a forward thinking institution that believes in the concept of ‘One University’."
The Conference concluded with the presentation of the University’s Teaching and Learning Excellence Awards.
Rising Star Awards were made to an early career staff member in each Faculty to recognise a particularly significant teaching contribution and leadership potential in teaching and learning. This years were awarded to:
Emma Murray, Faculty of Arts, Professional and Social Studies for her ‘commitment to the aims of LJMU’s Learning, Teaching and Assessment Strategy and the aims of the Strategic Plan’.
Elizabeth Malone, Faculty of Education Health and Community for ‘adopting innovative a teaching approaches that inspire participation.’
Dr Jennifer McLaughlin, Faculty of Science who ‘puts students at the heart of all she does’.
Dr Emma Mulliner, Faculty of Technology and Environment due to ‘the effect she has on students in terms of learning quality and personal development.’
Individual Teaching Awards recognise an outstanding, transformative or inspirational, impact on the student learning experience. The 2015 awards went to the following academics:
Ester Ragonese, Faculty of Arts, Professional and Social Studies for a ‘commitment to social justice and the desire to ensure that all her students realise and achieve their full potential.’
Emma Ball, Faculty of Education Health and Community due to her position as a ‘leader in student participation and engagement.’
Rebecca Rylance Faculty of Education Health and Community, in recognition of the ‘outstanding contribution she has made to student engagement’.
Dr Elsie Gaskell, Faculty of Science for employing a ‘range of different approaches to teaching including lectures, workshops, inter-professional education sessions, laboratory classes, and extended projects’.
Stephen Tang, Faculty of Technology and Environment for ‘exceptional contributions to the learning experience and education of the students’.
Programme/Support Team Awards in recognition and celebration of programmes/support teams that make an outstanding, transformative or inspirational, impact on the student learning experience.
The English Programme Team gained their award for high student satisfaction and excellent REF2014 results, highlighting excellent teaching, learning and research.
The Midwifery Team for being at the forefront of midwifery practice with an enduring commitment to student engagement and pioneering use of social media for pre-enrolment
The Geography programme identity and student engagement team in recognition of the diverse variety of strategies used to develop these aspects of their undergraduate programme.
The Building Modelling Team who have developed an innovative, creative and sector leading approach to the learning development of students studying in the school of the built environment.
LJMU Teaching and Learning Academy