As we continue to mark International Women’s Day and look ahead to the upcoming UTS Learning and Teaching awards ceremony, we share reflections from some of our award-winners. The UTS Learning and Teaching Awards recognise the importance of learning and teaching for undergraduate and postgraduate students within the framework of the UTS model of global practice-oriented education.
In Part 1, we featured Helen Benson (Health), Carmel Foley and Meg Hibbins (Business); Part 2 shares reflections from two more wonderful winners:
- Dr Elyse Methven (Faculty of Law), winner of the learning.futures Award (Individual) for engaging students in active learning that develops justice-oriented professionals
- Kristina Vojvoda (UTS Business School), awarded a High Commendation for Teaching by a Casual or Sessional Staff Member for empowering accounting students and tutors through engaging learning experiences
Dr Elyse Methven – learning.futures Award (Individual)
Tell us a little more about the project or initiative recognised by this award…
The award recognises my implementation in UTS criminal law and sentencing subjects of flipped and collaborative approaches that motivate students to engage in conceptual change. By creating learning and assessment practices that simulate authentic practices in the legal profession while encouraging students to situate law within its social and political contexts, my pedagogical practices endeavour to produce high quality, job-ready graduates who actively engage with and critique criminal justice content.
Which aspect(s) of your learning and teaching work are you most proud of?
I value and am encouraged by positive feedback from law students who reflect on their how their learning experiences have enabled them to develop practical legal skills and knowledge. Students have told me how learning experiences in criminal justice subjects, such as the delivering sentencing submissions in a mock courtroom sentencing, have been ‘integral for any future Criminal Lawyer’ by providing ‘an insight into the practical nature of how the judicial system works, and also, how sentencing options are effectively raised or disputed.’
What’s next for you/this project?
I want to spend more time this year refining authentic and engaging learning experiences for law students. One thing on my list is adding more episodes to the Criminal Sentencing Law podcast which provides practical tips and advances students’ knowledge to help them be successful legal professionals.
Kristina Vojvoda – High Commendation for Teaching by a Casual or Sessional Staff Member
Tell us a little more about the project or initiative recognised by this award…
This award recognised the sustained contributions to teaching and learning that I made as the Head Tutor of first year accounting subject ‘Accounting for Business Decisions A’ (ABDA). As the Head Tutor, I led a tutor community of practice and mentored a teaching team of up to 13 tutors to deliver constructively aligned tutorials and provided tutors with support and resources to effectively engage students in class to influence, motivate and inspire them to learn.
As the Head Tutor, I also championed transitioning the learning experience online in 2020 by leading the teaching team to implement new technology and teaching innovations.
Which aspect(s) of your learning and teaching work are you most proud of?
A substantial proportion of students have preconceived views that accounting is boring and irrelevant to their future careers, leading to a lack of student interest and low engagement.
As someone who is passionate about teaching and learning excellence, I am really proud of how we were able to facilitate an engaging and interactive learning experience for students completing tutorials online in first year accounting.
I consistently strived to use pedagogically driven teaching innovations and technology, as appropriate, to engage students and help them better understand the course content.
What’s next for you/this project?
I have recently accepted an offer to work as a Lecturer in Accounting at Western Sydney University. I am looking forward to the opportunity to advance my academic career by working and networking with colleagues at Western Sydney University, and delivering high quality and engaging learning experiences for students. I am excited to continue to contribute to enhancing students’ learning experiences in accounting, and improving learning outcomes in higher education.
What advice would you give to a woman looking to further her career in your discipline/profession?
Commit to ongoing development, take opportunities when presented, develop resilience, develop a track record of teaching and learning excellence, and seek support when required.
Demonstrating self-direction and initiative is critical in higher education so it is important that you are able to set your agenda in research and develop the subject and educational offering that you teach.
As an educator, demonstrating care and compassion for your students is also very important so you can instil confidence in your students. Ultimately, this helps them develop a sense of belonging at university, as well as feel valued and inspired to achieve success.
You can share in the celebrations with these and other winners of the 2021 Learning and Teaching Awards and Citations at the annual Vice-Chancellor’s Learning and Teaching Awards Ceremony livestream on Wednesday 30 March 2022.