Teaching Recognition Awards

Objective

The objective of the teaching development awards program is to recognize actions that enhance teaching and learning at Kent State University. The program allows instructors to earn tiered awards (bronze, silver, gold & platinum) for their efforts to learn about, implement, evaluate and investigate evidence-based instructional practices. All instructors at Kent State, including graduate students and faculty of all appointment types (TT, NTT, adjunct) are eligible to participate.

View Full Program Description (PDF)

Overview

The teaching recognition program is designed to reward instructors for their efforts to enhance teaching and learning.  We offer the following awards:

BRONZE AWARD: recognizes learning evidence-based practices for instruction and developing a plan to use them.

SILVER AWARD: recognizes the design and implementation of a teaching project.

GOLD AWARD: recognizes a systematic investigation into student learning and sharing the results with colleagues.

PLATINUM AWARD: recognizes scholarly dissemination and leadership in the area of teaching and learning.

Instructors can submit applications for projects that have been initiated within the last 3 years.  Team projects and collaborative activities are supported; however, each member of the group  will need to submit their own application materials.  There is no limit on the number of awards one may receive.  Some start with a Bronze award and progress towards Platinum whereas others choose to apply for higher tiered awards first. 

Administration of Program

All applications are submitted via the Qualtrics forms linked below.  Upon submission of your application, you will receive an email copy of your application. Award applications will be evaluated by a committee of faculty and pedagogy experts (such as staff from the CTL and Online Teaching).   Committee members will review applications for alignment with award requirements and completeness of responses.  In general, applications received by the 2nd Monday of each month will be reviewed by the end of the month.  Those after that deadline will be reviewed the following month.  Applications are accepted and reviewed year-round. 

Award recipients will receive certificates of achievement that will also be forwarded to their unit leader(s); in addition, they will be publicly recognized on the CTL website and in the monthly newsletter. 

Award Details

Learn & Plan

The Bronze Award in Teaching Development recognizes learning evidence-based practices for instruction and developing a plan to use them.  An award recipient will:  

• Learn about evidence-based practices for instruction through attending workshops, participating in learning communities and/or reading 
• Consult with the Center for Teaching and Learning or the Online Learning Team (for online classes) regarding practices learned and plans for implementation* 
• Develop a plan to enhance or redesign an aspect of an existing course or create a new course at Kent State (such as implementing a new teaching/learning or assessment strategy)  
• Reflect on the plan (potential challenges, potential impacts on students) 

Click here to learn more about the Bronze Award and view award recipients 

Design & Implement

The Silver Award in Teaching Development recognizes the design and implementation of a teaching project.

• Extend learning of best practices
• Consult with CTL/Online Learning Team regarding implementation
• Implement the project in a course; (often identified in the bronze award).
• Solicit peer feedback regarding the teaching project
• Conduct, document and evaluate results (self-evaluations, reflection, student evaluation 

Click here to learn more about the Silver Award and review award recipients 

Assess & Share

The Gold Award in Teaching Development recognizes scholarly assessment and revision of innovative course components and sharing results with colleagues.

• Learn how to assess the impact of teaching practices on student learning in a scholarly way (reading, workshops, faculty learning communities on the scholarship of teaching and learning)
• Consult with CTL regarding scholarly examination of teaching and learning
• Conduct scholarly assessment of teaching/learning practices
• Analyze and reflect on outcomes, including student evaluations and peer reviews of teaching 
• Use results to revise/refine teaching
• Share results with colleagues (local conferences, workshops, departmental seminars)

 Click here to learn more about the Gold Award and view recipients

Disseminate & Lead

The Platinum Award in Teaching Development recognizes scholarly dissemination and leadership in the area of teaching and learning.

• Scholarly dissemination of project results (peer-reviewed publication, authored-presentation at a nationally recognized meeting)
• Lead efforts to improve teaching and learning at Kent State University.  Click here to see some examples of leadership activities.  

Click here to learn more about the Platinum Award and view recipients