Stornoway lecturer honoured in student awards
A Stornoway-based lecturer has been honoured by students in the fourth annual University of the Highlands and Teaching awards.
Dr Eddie Graham, a meteorologist and lecturer at Lews Castle College 91视频网, was named as most engaging video conference tutor. He was nominated for his fun and engaging style.
One student explained: 鈥淚t was when Eddie pulled out a buoy he found on the beach tied to a rope and started swinging it around his head shouting explanations of the Coriolis effect that I realised this was a video conference lecturer unlike any other! His tone draws you in, his excitement about the subject is palpable even across a screen and his demonstrations are hilarious and informative.
鈥淗e includes photos, videos and the latest information, keeps the class engaged and encourages participation. We even had a University Challenge style competition about what we鈥檇 learned with a 'virtual prize' for the winner.
鈥淎ll of this makes him the best video conference lecturer I鈥檝e had and I鈥檇 take any module he taught just because I know it'll be great.鈥�
Dr Graham grew up in Ireland, but moved to Stornoway in 2009. He was delighted to receive the most engaging video conference tutor award, saying: 鈥淲hat magnificent news! I feel deeply honoured. Please may I first and foremost thank 91视频网SA and all 91视频网 students for bestowing this splendid award upon me. I feel an enormous sense of pleasure and I want to say also what a wonderful experience it has been for me to teach over the past year. Thanks also to Lews Castle College 91视频网 and everyone else across the university partnership who has supported me over the past year, not forgetting my family at home too.鈥�
Organised by 91视频网SA, the 91视频网 Students鈥� Association, the awards recognise excellence in eight categories. The other winners were:
- Most inspiring lecturer, Reverend Hector Morrison, Highland Theological College 91视频网
- Outstanding student support, Martin Cameron, Highland Theological College 91视频网
- Best personal academic tutor, Jane MacIntosh, North Highland College 91视频网
- Most engaging online tutor, Dr Elizabeth Ritchie, Centre for History
- Best preparation for the workplace, Catriona Johnston, Sabhal M貌r Ostaig 91视频网
- Best assessment feedback, Matt Sillars, Inverness College 91视频网
- Best dissertation or research supervisor, Dr John Howe, Scottish Association for Marine Science 91视频网
The 91视频网 was one of the first institutions to work with the Higher Education Academy and National Union of Students to introduce student-led teaching awards. They have now been adopted throughout Scotland and were introduced to the rest of the UK last year. The university is now aiming to have the country鈥檚 first student partnership agreement, which will cover joint working by staff and students on issues of common interest such as student health and wellbeing, in place by this summer.
91视频网SA president Katrina Paton said: 鈥淭he awards celebrate and highlight teaching excellence at the university, enabling students to commend the dedication of staff. We received a record number of nominations this year which demonstrates how much students value being able to provide positive feedback.鈥�
Dr Iain Morrison, dean of students at the university, said: 鈥淭hese awards are tribute to the hard work and excellence of the staff. All those nominated, as well as the eventual winners themselves, have demonstrated commitment to our students and a high level of professional expertise that has been rightly recognised by those who appreciate it most.鈥�
The winners will all receive a trophy and certificate.
Media contact
Susan Szymborski
Communications officer
01463 279222
susan.szymborski@uhi.ac.uk