Occupational Therapy lecturer scoops prestigious award

GCU Students' Association recently held their annual Teaching Awards – an event hosted to recognise GCU's outstanding learning and teaching staff.    

The Teaching Awards gives students the opportunity to celebrate teaching and non-teaching staff members who have made a positive impact on their learning experience.    

The Fantastic Feedback Award was presented to Occupational Therapy lecturer, Emma Green for her work in supporting students. 

We caught up with Emma to hear more about her journey over the last year and hopes for the future:   

   
Has being nominated for a Teaching Award impacted you in any way? If so, how?    

“I am incredibly grateful for being nominated and winning a Teaching Award.  This really meant a lot to me that students took the time and effort to nominate and was a real boost to my morale in what has been a challenging teaching year.  This award also highlights ‘what works’ which is always great to know what to do more of and where to make enhancements.” 

What are some of the things you’ve been involved in this academic year with students that led to you being nominated for this award?    

“This is always a hard one but based on the comments at the awards it seemed that the strategies to incorporate formative feedback through a range of digital formats within one of my modules had an impact.  This was deliberately designed to accommodate for the blended approach and support learning through formative feedback strategies and I was delighted that this seemed to work!” 

 
What has it been like supporting students virtually this year as opposed to having face-to-face meetings?    

“It has certainly required a lot of learning!  There have been many things that have worked well, such as pre-recorded lectures and use of creative and innovative strategies, e.g. estate agents videos to help complete environmental assessment with students.  We have of course missed seeing the students regularly and the opportunity for informal chat but have been creative in opening up social spaces with students to account for this online.”  

 
Is there anyone you would like to thank for this recognition you have received from The Students’ Association?   

“Absolutely! The students who took the time to nominate – THANK YOU!  Also, the staff within the department of Occupational Therapy, Human Nutrition and Dietetics and particularly staff on Occupational Therapy programmes who I work with most closely with.” 
 
What’s your plans for the future? How much are you looking forward to returning to campus? 

“We are planning for academic session 21/22, looking to take the learning from teaching online and blending this with face-to-face teaching as restrictions ease.  It will be great to see how our teaching evolves, as although this last year has been a challenge, there has been a lot of advances in our digital teaching practices that are valuable.  I am looking forward to being on campus again and seeing students and staff in the flesh!” 

The list of Teaching Award winners is available on the Students’ Association website    

By Ross Clark  
Got an SHLS or GSBS story? Email me at Ross.Clark@gcu.ac.uk or message me on Twitter