Award-winning teaching focuses on the context

Linus Sandegren says that it came as a total surprise to him when it was announced that he would receive the award, but he has since learned that he was nominated by both students and colleagues.

He believes that an important part of his award-winning teaching is sparking interest in the subject area and explaining to the students why something is interesting and important in the context of their education and future professions.

“Many aspects combine to create good teaching. A clear structure and exposition is important for achieving good progression in each course as well as the study programme as a whole. As an individual teacher, it’s important to be aware of what the students have already learned from others, and how my part in their teaching relates to the whole of a course or programme, and to adapt my teaching based on that,” says Sandegren.

He also emphasises that it can be easy to focus a lot on details that you, as a researcher, are interested in but that it is important to adapt your teaching to the learning outcome wanted for the student group in front of you.

Teachers learn from each other

Linus Sandegren points out that within the Department, the teaching staff cooperate well with each other.

“We learn from each other and help each other develop our teaching. Within the study programmes that I teach in, there is also a positive exchange of ideas between the teaching staff,” stresses Sandegren.

Asked about concrete advice on teaching, he emphasises the importance of identifying what the learning outcome of the module is and adapting the content to the student group.

“Link back to what has already been taught, and give examples that the students can relate to. And don’t neglect the little things like having materials out in time, keeping to the scheduled time for lectures, and doing a lot of listening and discussing with the students to create a positive study environment,” says Sandegren.

What will you use the prize money for?

“It’s probably going to end up in my fly fishing account” he says.

Johan Ahlenius