Students rewarded for creative writing

Students at the University of St Andrews have been awarded cash prizes of up to £1000 for skills in creative writing.

Students were invited to submit essays of 1000 words describing their learning experiences in a ‘creative, succinct and meaningful way’.

The Student Essay Competition was run by SALTIRE (St Andrews Learning and Teaching: Innovation, Review and Enhancement), the University’s Learning and Teaching support unit.

Director of Learning and Teaching Development Dr Colin Mason, who developed and organised the competition, said:

“This competition provides students not only with an opportunity to be rewarded for their creativity, but also uses the innovative method of on-line technology for essay submission, designed by Raymond Moir, Learning Technology Consultant in SALTIRE.  The competition provides an intriguing, indirect route for students to give feedback on their experiences of learning and teaching at St Andrews and their own individual approaches to studying.”

The competition was initially launched in the 2001-2002 and is one of several initiatives of SALTIRE whose mission is to promote excellence in learning and teaching at the University.

The £1000 prize money was awarded as follows:

First Prize £400

Ms Rebecca Austin, Greek, Latin and Ancient History, Year 2, for:

“Audio Video Disco ­ An Interactive Guide to the Study of Classics”

Joint second (3 @ £200 each)

Mr Federico Luzzi, Philosophical and Anthropological Studies, Postgraduate, for: “On Stumbling and a Five-Pound Note”

Mr Martin Conaghan, Computer Science, Year 3, for: “The Art of Science and the Merits of a Joint Degree”

Mr Richard Sowerby, History, Year 4 for: “How To Divide Your Mind In Two”

In addition, the assessment panel also award a prize for the most creative essay title.  This year, two titles were awarded prizes:

The Essay title prizes (2 @ £25 each)

Ms Rebecca Austin, Greek, Latin and Ancient History, Year 2, for: “Audio Video Disco ­ An Interactive Guide to the Study of Classics”

Ms Lisa Vega, History, Year 2 for: “The Write Stuff”

CAPTION: Three of the prize winners, Rebecca, Federico and Lisa (Front row, L-R) together with Frank Quinault, June Knowles and Colin Mason (Back row L-R) three of the staff from SALTIRE involved in assessing the essays.

ENDS

NOTE TO PICTURE EDITORS:

IMAGES ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE PRESS OFFICE – CONTACTS BELOW.

Issued by Press Office, University of St Andrews

Contact Gayle Cook, Press Officer on 01334 467227 / 462529, mobile 07900 050 103, or email [email protected]

Ref:  SALTIRE essay comp 140507
View the latest University press releases at www.st-andrews.ac.uk