Using digital tools to get a taste of working on a research vessel or independently analysing a little-noticed form of literature: In the past academic year, there was once again teaching at the university that inspired students.
Six lecturers from Marine Research, German Studies, Computing Science and English Studies received the award from the Vice President for Studies, Teaching and International Affairs, Prof Dr Verena Pietzner. The award winners, in one case a trio of lecturers, each receive 1,000 euros for their teaching.
Once again, only students nominated lecturers for the award in the 2020/21 academic year. Their submissions clearly showed that the lecturers have gained a lot of experience with the use of digital tools in recent years. "Now we need to reflect on this experience and establish best practices in the long term," emphasises Pietzner.
From oceanography to colportage
This year's prize in the "Best Event" category went to Dr Sara Billerbeck, Prof Dr Meinhard Simon and Dr Helge-Ansgar Giebel from the Institute of Chemistry and Biology of the Marine Environment. The trio of lecturers used digital tools to give their students access to scientific work on a research vessel with the "Practical course in biological oceanography". The successful concept and realisation of the practical course could have a lasting effect and be groundbreaking in terms of accessibility and accessibility, the jury explained in its decision.
PD Dr Christian Schmitt from the Institute for German Studies was honoured in the "Research-based Learning" category for his literary studies teaching concept. In the seminar "Kolportage/Literatur. Popular reading material of the 19th century", students conducted largely independent research into a literary form that has received little attention to date. The students developed new results for the research discourse, which are also available to the interested public via a blog. The jury emphasised that Schmitt had clearly focused on the students' learning process.
Computing Science and English language history were convincing
Lecturers were able to apply for the "Best course evaluation" award with the results of their own course evaluation. Dr Nils Pancratz from the Department of Computing Science with his lecture "Didactics of Computing Science I" and Nils Rademacher from the Institute of English and American Studies with his seminar "History of the English Language" came out on top.
The University of Oldenburg has been honouring outstanding achievements by university lecturers since 1998. The Teaching Prize is sponsored by the Universitätsgesellschaft Oldenburg e.V. (UGO).
