Teaching Excellence Award for Active and Relevant Learning
This award honors educators who design engaging, participatory learning experiences that connect education to students' lived experiences and allow students to reflect on their learning processes. Recipients demonstrate how they make learning active, relevant, and meaningful.
| Category | Exemplary Evidence (4 pts) | Strong Evidence (3 pts) | Some Evidence (2 pts) | Minimal Evidence (1 pt) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Teaching Philosophy and Reflection (20%) | Clearly articulates teaching values and approaches, connects them to active and relevant learning, and demonstrates how included materials and evidence support these approaches. | Clear philosophy with thoughtful but limited reflection or linkage to active and relevant learning. | General or descriptive statements with minimal reflection or connection to active and relevant learning. | Missing, unclear, or lacks meaningful reflection or connection to active and relevant learning. |
| Teaching Materials and Practices (35%) | Demonstrates intentional, evidence-based, and student-centered practices through high-quality materials that actively engage students and connect learning to real-world contexts. | Clear and relevant materials showing strong design and alignment with active and relevant learning goals. | Materials are present but limited in intentionality or clarity; partial alignment with active and relevant learning. | Materials are unclear, underdeveloped, or not effectively aligned with active and relevant learning. |
| Evidence of Student Impact (35%) | Provides meaningful, varied evidence showing how active and relevant learning practices improved student understanding, engagement, or skill development. | Clear evidence of student success or engagement with moderate connection to active and relevant learning. | Some data or feedback provided but lacks clarity or connection to student impact through active learning. | No or indirect evidence of student learning or impact related to active and relevant learning. |
| Innovation and Growth (10%) | Demonstrates creativity and continuous growth in developing active and relevant learning strategies; offers clear examples of experimentation and innovation that enhance engagement and real-world application. | Some evidence of innovation or experimentation in applying active and relevant learning strategies; shows willingness to improve and adapt. | Limited examples of innovation or development in active and relevant learning. | Minimal evidence of innovation, experimentation, or growth in this area. |
