University of Tartu announced recipients of awards in the field of teaching
At the conference “Teaching for Learning 2025: Journey Towards Valued Teaching”, Vice Rector for Academic Affairs Aune Valk presented the 2024 teaching awards and the teaching quality award.
The teaching award is given to recognise up to three activities that value effective collaboration, development and innovation in degree studies and continuing education at the university.
Teaching awards 2024 were given to the following projects:
- Applying team-based teaching methods in statistics courses (team: Krista Fischer, Anastassia Kolde, Kaido Lätt, Kaire Uiboleht);
- Opening of the international master’s curriculum in Clinical Pharmacy (team: Jana Lass, Marika Saar);
- Mobility programme in Tartu for students of Narva College (team: Kristiina Praakli, Ülle Niin, Agnes Lea, Birute Klaas-Lang, Liina Lindström, Rando Otti, Piret Kärtner).
Vice Rector for Academic Affairs Aune Valk says that the awarded activities of 2024 are characterised by cooperation, innovative thinking and creativity. “It is pleasant to see that, especially in the teaching of complex subjects, a change in the learning method has led to deeper learning and better mastering of knowledge in the specialisation, and that there is an opportunity to develop future skills within specialised courses. The opening of a new research-oriented curriculum is very important. Student mobility within Estonia gives students of non-Estonian background the possibility to learn the language and be socially involved and integrated into the life of the national university,” said Valk. All the award-winning achievements have a long-term impact and result from cooperation with students and teaching staff, different academic units and universities abroad.
All members of the university could submit candidates; the recipients were selected by the university’s Academic Affairs Committee. The teaching award comes with a cash prize of 5,000 euros.
The teaching quality award was granted to the Institute of Education of the Faculty of Social Sciences.
The Institute of Education was recognised for its systematic and evidence-based activities promoting the quality of teaching in the last three years. During this period, the institute set the target to create a high-quality and inspiring learning environment in the Inclusive Education master’s curriculum, allowing every learner to achieve their learning outcomes.
The award-winning institute attaches great importance to building an inclusive culture and changing attitudes. To this end, the institute knowingly maintains strong links with employers and alumni. Emphasis is placed on linking the different parts of the Inclusive Education curriculum – by monitoring the coherence of the programme and exploring the perceived coherence between courses, learners’ experiences and acquired knowledge. Students were first admitted to this curriculum in 2021 and the number of student places has doubled since then. The number of applicants has also increased. A new type of final examination has been developed, encouraging learners to reflect on their work experience in the light of the new acquired knowledge and interpret it through action research.
Feedback from students has revealed that the studies support their personal development and the acquisition of future skills. In the courses, they appreciate individual feedback and varied teaching methods that keep them engaged. At the same time, the tasks are challenging and practical, and require making connections with everyday work. The graduation rate is higher than the institute’s and also the faculty’s average. This also indicates that the institute’s activities are justified and supportive of excellent teaching quality.
Vice Rector for Academic Affairs Aune Valk said that the institute sets the learning quality objectives and analyses its activities based on evidence-based research. “The Institute of Education has involved students, employers, alumni and other universities in improving the quality of the curriculum. Through in-depth analysis, they have set new objectives and planned further activities,” said Valk.
The teaching quality award is given to recognise an institute, college or faculty of the university for activities supporting the quality of teaching and designed and implemented successfully and effectively in the past three years. It is important that the changes are planned and implemented in the cooperation of staff and students. The teaching quality award comes with a cash prize of 30,000 euros.
