Psychology, music teachers cited for alumni awards

by Mike McNeney

Smith with (clockwise, from left) students Hannah Sanford, Erica Grainger, Nick Church and teaching assistant Karen Suza.

A professor and an instructor who both go the extra mile to enlighten and engage their first-year students have been selected the 2005 winners of the Alumni Awards for Excellence in Teaching.

Dr. Martin Smith is the recipient of the Harry Hickman Award (for regular faculty, librarians or artists-in-residence) based on his innovative and inclusive approaches to teaching large groups in his Psychology 100 lectures.

School of music instructor David Clenman is the first winner of the Gillian Sherwin Award (for sessional and lab instructors, and limited-term faculty). Clenman brings the history of music to life—by coming to class in costume, for example, or by leading students in medieval chants—in his Listening to Music 115 class for non-music majors.

Clenman

Smith and Clenman will each receive a $2,000 cash prize. As well, their photos will be permanently displayed in the main stairwell of the McPherson Library along with the 33 past winners of the Excellence in Teaching award, which was first presented in 1989.

Smith says the art of teaching to large groups—300 students in each of two sections per term—brings the obvious challenges associated with the sheer size of the classes, the diversity of the students (from engineering students to psychology majors) and the technological expectations of the modern student. "They want a quick, well-produced presentation, not just a talking head. Some lecturers can do that well, but I can't."

In a typically fast-paced lecture, Smith combines computer presentations with video clips and class discussions that see him move up and down the aisles.

He also does his best to put names to the crowd by asking students to provide digital photos which he tries to memorize. "It's a simple thing but studies have proven that when students are called by name it encourages learning and they feel like part of the process," says Smith, a member of the psychology department since 1991. "It's like the theme from Cheers—you want to go where everybody knows your name."

Clenman, in the name of classical music appreciation, frequently comes to class in costumes related to the day's topic. A discussion about music of the Renaissance will begin with him entering class in full, 15th-century armour. A lecture on Stravinsky's ballet music brings him to class, bravely, in a tutu.

"Learning should be fun and I try to make it as experiential as possible," says Clenman. "I don't want students to be spectators. So, I'll bring in costumes, or get them to dance or sing or play instruments."

Clenman, who also teaches music theory, has been noted in peer reviews for his "intellectual and musical wizardry."

The Harry Hickman Award is named for the well-regarded Victoria College and UVic instructor and administrator. The award for instructors is named in memory of Gillian Sherwin, an inspiring senior lab instructor who worked in the geography department for 21 years.

The awards will be formally presented Nov. 22 during the Legacy Awards night at the Victoria Conference Centre. The event will also spotlight distinguished alumni, Sports Hall of Fame inductees and Blue and Gold award-winning students (see story, p.4).