Quick! Who is the best lecturer at York University? If you know the answer to that question, why not enter that person’s name into this year’s TVO Big Ideas Best Lecturer competition? With the new school year fast approaching, organizers of the popular annual event want to get a jump-start on the competition, so they have opened up the nominations early and extended the window to submit nominations.
Created to recognize the best and brightest professors in Ontario’s postsecondary school system, the TVO Big Ideas Best Lecturer Competition invites students to nominate professors who they think show exemplary commitment to their subjects and students. Judges are looking for lecturers who explain concepts clearly, are passionate about their topics and present ideas with flair and finesse.
Right: Playwright and actor Andrew Moodie is the host of TVO’s “Big Ideas” program, which features the best lecturer episodes
TVO staff and an independent jury review the submission videos to select 10 finalists. The lectures of the top 10 will air on TVO as part of the “Big Ideas” program in March 2010. The winning lecturer is chosen by viewers and a panel of judges. If a York lecturer wins, the University will receive a $10,000 TD Meloche Monnex Scholarship along with the prestige of placing first in the competition.
Those who submit a nomination will automatically be entered into a draw to win one of two iPod touch devices. Click here for draw details.
The nomination period is now open and York students, staff, colleagues and alumni can submit their nominations for their favourite lecturer until Monday, Oct. 12. A strong student response is important in placing York lecturers in the winner’s circle.
There are no restrictions on subject matter. Candidates from previous years have taught everything from statistics and astronomy to environmental studies. It’s the professor’s style that counts. Last year, Merv Mosher, a senior lecturer in the School of Kinesiology & Health in York’s Faculty of Health, was a finalist in the competition. (See YFile, March 23, 2009.)
To nominate a lecturer, fill out the TVO Big Ideas Best Lecturer online form, or e-mail bl@tvo.org with the subject "BL 2010 Nomination" and include:
- your name, e-mail and a contact phone number;
- full name of the professor;
- York University;
- and a short explanation (50 to 100 words) of why the professor should be nominated.
Or you can attach a short one- to two-minute video of yourself from your mobile or other device presenting this information.
Don’t forget to check out the nomination rules and regulations. For more information, send an e-mail to bl@tvo.org.