Excellence in Online Teaching Award

Robyn Gotz

Robyn Gotz, an instructor in the Department of Earth Sciences in the College of Letters and Science, has received the Excellence in Online Teaching Award, which recognizes exemplary contributions to the practice of online instruction and the teaching profession. The award comes with a $2,000 honorarium.

Gotz teaches both in-person and online courses for undergraduates and graduate students in earth sciences, weather and snow science. She has developed numerous innovative strategies that encourage peer interaction, deepen subject mastery and promote practical application of concepts for all class formats. In a letter of nomination, department head David Varricchio wrote that Gotz’s online courses are engaging and tactile, featuring short, digestible lectures and interactive lessons designed to increase active learning and engagement. In a letter supporting the nomination, associate professor of earth sciences Andrew Laskowski added that Gotz introduced the use of physical lab kits for online students, which facilitates their active learning and at-home experimentation.

Gotz teaches several specialized classes for teachers in MSU’s Master of Science in Science Education program. According to Varricchio, several MSSE students have asked Gotz to be the science reader for their theses because of the positive impact of her online courses.

“Robyn continues to demonstrate her commitment to provide our students with a high-quality learning experience,” Varricchio wrote. “She exemplifies what makes Montana State University a place where our students receive an excellent education.”