Hawkins Earns 2023 Exemplary Online Award Teaching Award
Land Use Planning Law (URP6131) was the sole course recognized for the 2022 Learner Satisfaction award.
Thomas Hawkins being awarded the Learner Satisfaction Award by the University’s Center for Teaching Excellence at the Interface Conference
April 28, 2023
The University of Florida’s Exemplary Online Awards (EOA) has acknowledged the efforts of W. Thomas Hawkins, J.D., instructor of the URP6131 Land Use Planning Law course. Hawkins also received the 2022 Learner Satisfaction Award, which is only granted to one course each year. The course has been commended for its online teaching methods and quality course materials.
The EOA, presented annually by the University’s Center for Teaching Excellence at the Interface Conference, acknowledges the teaching practices and course materials of W. Thomas Hawkins’ Land Use Planning Law course.
Thomas Hawkins online URP6131 lecture slide
The Land Use Planning Law course, URP6131, aims to help students understand land use laws in statutes and judicial decisions. Through a variety of online activities, students learn to apply these laws to real-life scenarios and analyze hypothetical cases involving land use law rules. Course goals include attending and evaluating quasi-judicial land use hearings and writing clearly to describe and apply land use law rules.
This course allowed me to better understand planning laws and what is and isn’t allowed under Florida planning law. This class
also helped me to gain a better scope on the issues that planners deal with on a day–to–day basis.
The Exemplary Online Awards recognize courses that have 80% or more of the content and activities available to students online. This recognition highlights the commitment of Thomas Hawkins in creating a valuable online learning experience for students.
The URP6131 Land Use Planning Law course maintains student satisfaction through its engaging content and practical approach to teaching. As part of the curriculum for the Online Master of Urban and Regional Planning program, the course plays a role in the education of urban and regional planners.