By Signe Tørnqvist Halvorsen, AAU Communication and Public Affairs. Translated by LeeAnn Iovanni, AAU Communication and Public Affairs. Photo: Troels Frøkjær Christensen.

'Partial differential equations, probability theory and statistics' is the name of the course that fourth semester students in Civil Engineering have to get through. A course with a long, wide-ranging syllabus the students describe as both complicated and heavy on mathematical content.

Jannie Sønderkær Nielsen, Associate Professor in the Department of the Built Environment was recently named Teacher of the Year at the Faculty of Engineering and Science (ENGINEERING). With her problem-based approach to teaching, she manages to make the course on Civil Engineering relevant to her students. One of her methods is to use concrete engineering problems to explain complicated mathematical calculations.

Takes feedback seriously

The students' evaluations indicate that Jannie Sønderkær Nielsen is very committed to continuously improving her teaching. She actively uses the feedback she receives from her students to make her course even better for the students to come.

For example, after the last course session, she actively sought feedback by talking to all groups about what worked and what can be changed for next year's students, according to the recommendation from the Civil Engineering students.

Equal opportunities and time for contemplation

Jannie Sønderkær Nielsen is committed to giving her students the best conditions for completing the course. So, she familiarized herself with their circumstances, and based on student feedback, launched several different measures. For instance, she posts video material produced during the coronavirus lockdowns for students who have been absent due to illness.

In addition, Jannie Sønderkær Nielsen makes it a priority that all students have plenty of time to study for the exam by scheduling the exam date as far out as possible from the submission of the mandatory mini-project.

Meaningful work

Jannie Sønderkær Nielsen herself is both surprised and honoured to receive the award as Teacher of the Year, as according to her, there are a lot of good teachers at ENGINEERING who could also have been given the title. However, there is no doubt when Jannie Sønderkær Nielsen explains why she is motivated by teaching: