Teaching award: Focus 2024/25
Blended Learning: combining offline and online worlds
One of the main concerns of the University of Graz is the continuous development of teaching techniques. In this context, blended learning has become increasingly important as an integrative approach to combining traditional face-to-face teaching with digital learning media. In this sense, the focus of the Teaching Awards 2024/25 is 'Blended learning: combining offline and online worlds'.
The use of blended learning allows students to benefit from the advantages of both learning methods. This integrated approach enables flexible and interactive learning and supports different learning styles. While the combination of classroom and online elements creates individual learning paths tailored to students' needs, digital media enriches the content through multimedia preparation.
The 2024/25 teaching awards will highlight courses in which, for example
- The combination of online and face-to-face teaching supports the student's learning process;
- Students have access to a variety of learning materials;
- Students are guaranteed flexibility to allow for individualised learning;
- Teachers provide students with multimedia learning activities such as quizzes, forums and videos;
- Teachers support their students in both online and face-to-face lessons;
- Integrated assessment methods reflect learning progress through online and offline activities.
Nomination
Courses (with the exception of private seminars and diploma/dissertation seminars) that are held as part of a regular degree program at the University of Graz in the academic year 2023/24 can be nominated with a convincing justification via the nomination form.
The following groups of people can nominate
- Groups of at least 3 students a course they have attended
- Curriculum chairperson
- (Vice) Deans of Studies
Please make sure to nominate courses for the winter semester 2024/25 by 8.1.2025 at the latest and courses for the summer semester 2025 by 2.6.2025.
If you have missed the nomination deadline, please send an e-mail to lehrpreis(at)uni-graz.at.
What happens after the nomination?
Once the nomination has been received, the teacher(s) will be informed. If they agree with the nomination, the course will be activated for evaluation in UNIGRAZonline. Additional questions related to the focus of the Teaching Award are attached to the standard questionnaire.
The teacher is asked to submit a course outline. The following aspects must be explained: Description of the course, competence orientation, reference to the focus of the Teaching Award, student-centred learning, teaching philosophy & pedagogical concept as well as instrucional design & use of teaching/learning technologies.
Before the start of the new academic year, usually at the end of September, a jury invited by the Vice-Rector for Studies and Teaching meets to select the course concepts worthy of an award from the nominations. The submission documents are assessed on the basis of the concept content with regard to the following criteria:
- Reference to the focus of the Teaching Award "Strengthening strengths and learning from mistakes",
- meaningful and complete course description in UNIGRAZonline,
- student feedback that is consistent with the course outline,
- educational design,
- motivated use of teaching techniques and instructional designs and
- appropriateness (to achieve the intended learning objectives).
