The Department of Computer Science at the University of Helsinki awards

its teachers annually for their work to improve the quality of teaching.

The prize sum and a diploma will be awarded to two teachers, one of whom

is a permanent member of staff and the other one is a junior member.

The permanent teacher usually has an appointment to a teaching post and

has been in charge of complete courses or lab courses, primarily as

lecturer.

The junior teacher is usually a part-time teacher who has instructed

e.g. exercise sessions or lab courses under the management of a teacher

in charge of a course.

The awards were granted in 2001 for the first time. The 2011 awards

ceremony will be held at the department's Christmas coffee.

We would like to invite well-argued proposals for recipients of the

teaching awards 2011. Any member of the department staff or active

student may make a proposal. Several people may come together to make a

joint proposal. Proposals, about a page long at the most, should be sent

by mail or e-mail to

Head of studies JAAKKO KURHILA (

jaakko.kurhila@cs.helsinki.fi

) BY

the 17th Nov 2011 AT THE LATEST.

The committee for development of teaching will prepare the awards

proposals. The department council will decide who is awarded.

The criteria for the award to permanent teachers include activities and

results in the following areas:

  * The quality of their own teaching: the esteem of students and

    commitment to their learning, teaching methods and contents that

    support learning, their own development as teachers - in general,

    "good teaching".

  * Teaching at the department: planning, method development, and

    promotion of university pedagogy.

  * Participation in the development of university teaching.

In addition, the feedback from students will be considered.

The criteria for junior teachers include the quality of their teaching

and instruction, as well as any further participation in the realisation

and development of the course. In addition, so-called "good teaching"

will be considered, featuring such qualities as enthusiasm, the ability

to promote learning, conceptual exactness, a critical mindset, creating

a positive atmosphere, the ability to teach how students can learn. The

assessments will consider the statement from the person in charge of the

course and feedback from students.

Previously awarded teachers (the five previous years):

Permanent teachers: Matti Nykänen, Jyrki Kivinen, Esa Pitkänen, Juha

Taina, Pirjo Moen

Junior teachers: Sebastian Siikavirta, Janne Korhonen, Jaakko Sorri,

Matti Paksula, Antti Laaksonen