Teaching award: Focus 2026/27
AI = Ability Involved? Teaching and Learning in the Age of ChatGPT and Beyond
One of the University of Graz’s main priorities is the continuous development and enhancement of teaching and learning methods. In light of the ongoing advances in generative AI and the new opportunities it offers for designing teaching, the University of Graz places great importance on adapting its teaching to these changing conditions. Against this backdrop, the Teaching Award 2026/27 is dedicated to the topic: “AI = Ability Involved? Teaching and Learning in the Age of ChatGPT and Beyond”.
The rapid advancement of AI and digital transformation are shaping higher education, bringing new opportunities and challenges for teachers and students alike. AI is already being used in many ways, such as for research and idea generation, writing processes, text translation and summarising complex content. However, questions are also arising around responsibility, academic integrity, and ensuring individual achievement (cf. Bosse et. al. 2026, cf. Schaper 2026). The University of Graz is committed to providing students with the guidance they need to develop reflective practices when using AI. When used appropriately, generative AI can support teaching and learning processes, enabling individual, flexible learning paths.
The 2026/27 Teaching Award puts the spotlight on courses that, for example
the use of generative AI helps students learn and understand in greater depth;
students learn to engage with AI in a responsible and reflective manner;
generative AI tools are used to enable personalised learning;
the use of generative AI is deliberately integrated or limited and subsequently reflected upon;
students are encouraged to critically engage with generative AI.
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 2025/26 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 2026/27 by 13.1.2027 at the latest and courses for the summer semester 2027 by 3.6.2027.
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 "Between lecture hall and living conditions: student realities",
- 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).
