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Home Page > People > Faculty : Current Page

Information Studies Teaching Award

Congratulations to Loretta Gaffney, Recipient of the 2011 IS Teaching Award

Announced on May 10, 2011:

The Dept. of Information Studies announces today that Professor Loretta Gaffney is the recipient of its annual Information Studies Teaching Award.

The Department of Information Studies Teaching Award is given annually to a tenure-track faculty member, visiting professor, adjunct teacher, or teaching assistant in the Department. The award recognizes superior teaching performance in the areas of in-class and online teaching, laboratory teaching, and advising at all academic levels. Recognition may also draw attention to outstanding teaching and curricular materials, including websites, developed by the instructor.

The nominations for Prof. Gaffney testify to the quality of her teaching students in the area of young adult services and literature. Her courses had been ?engaging, relevant, and constructed to inform students of theoretical trends, and practical ways to put that theory to use." Students also commended her active presence in YACS and her engagement with events and activities sponsored by that organization.

Recognizing and awarding excellence in teaching is an important element in the department's evaluation of its instructional program. The awards committee thanks the students and everyone else that participated in this effort.

Congratulations to Prof. Gaffney for this recognition of her outstanding work.

Greg Leazer
Chair, UCLA Dept. of Information Studies

Call for Nominations for the 2011 IS Teaching Award

IS Chair Greg Leazer is soliciting nominations for the 2010-2011 Department of Information Studies Teaching Award. This award recognizes superior teaching performance in the areas of in-class and online teaching, laboratory teaching, and advising at all academic levels. Anyone in the Department of Information Studies, including faculty, students, and staff may propose an individual for the award. The award may be given to any tenure-track faculty member, adjunct teacher, or Special Reader in the Department.

Nominations, which are due in hardcopy or by e-mail to Andrew VanSchooneveld by April 29, 2011 should be accompanied by a one-page nomination statement, drawing attention to the various aspects of performance that the nominator deems to be of merit. Appendices containing additional supporting materials may be provided, but are not necessary. Andrew's email is .

The Award shall be made on the basis of any of the following qualities in the teaching-related activities of the proposed Awardee:

• Inspirational, creative, original, effective teaching and/or teaching materials.
• High-quality advising, understanding, and assistance to students.
• Dedication to the instructional program of the Department through original curriculum design and program innovation.

After Greg receives the nominations, he will appoint an Ad Hoc Teaching Award Committee to make a recommendation to the Chair and faculty, who will vote on the nomination at its May meeting. (The committee will include two faculty and one student members, none of whom were nominators or nominees.)

The recipient of the Award will be honored at the Convocation at the beginning of the 2011-2012 academic year.

About the Award

The Department of Information Studies Teaching Award is given annually to a tenure-track faculty member, Visiting Professor, Adjunct teacher, or Teaching Assistant in the Department. The award recognizes superior teaching performance in the areas of in-class and online teaching, laboratory teaching, and advising at all academic levels. Recognition may also draw attention to outstanding teaching and curricular materials, including Websites, developed by the instructor.

Anyone in the Department of information Studies, including faculty, students (including non-major undergraduate students), and staff may propose an individual for the award.Nominators should include a statement of no more than 4 pages (double-spaced, 12 point font) addressing the selection criteria below. Appendices containing additional supporting materials may be provided, but are not required. The appendices may include but are not limited to evidence of contributions to curriculum or program design, material prepared for students such as audiovisual material, CD ROMs, course handouts, and study guides. These materials are intended to support the statements made against the selection criteria and should not merely repeat the information in the nomination statement.Nominations are to be submitted to the Department Chair by the end of the second week of Spring quarter each year. The Chair will appoint an Ad Hoc Teaching Award committee that does not contain any of the award nominees to review the nominations. The Ad Hoc Committee will make a recommendation to the Chair and faculty, who will vote on the nomination. The recommendation will include a one-paragraph statement citing the bases for the award in this instance.

The Ad Hoc Teaching Award Committee should always contain at least one student. That student should not be one of the nominators. The Award will be given at the Fall Convocation.

Selection Criteria for the Award

Teachers may merit an award on many bases, or mixtures of performance. The criteria below should be seen as guidelines only.

1. Inspirational, creative, original, effective teaching and/or teaching materials.
2. Ability to arouse curiosity, and to stimulate independent learning and the development of critical thought.
3. Ability to organize course material and to present it cogently and imaginatively.
4. Command of the subject matter, including the incorporation in teaching of recent developments in the field of study.
5. Innovation in the design and delivery of content and course materials.
6. Participation in the effective and sympathetic guidance and advising of students at any or all academic levels.
7. Provision of appropriate assessment, including the provision of worthwhile feedback to students on their learning.
8. Demonstrated commitment to teaching diversity in course content and in recognition of student diversity in the class.
9. Professional and systematic approach to teaching development.
10. Participation in professional activities and research related to teaching.

IS Teaching Award Recipients

2011 - Loretta Gaffney

2010 - Dr. Jean-François Blanchette

2009 - Dr. Anne Gilliland

2008 - Dr. Clara Chu

2007 - Dr. Virginia Walter

2006 - Dr. Phil Agre

2005 - Dr. Mary Niles Maack

2004 - Dr. Jonathan Furner

Updated: 10/25/11