The Institute for Telecommunications will present one award for Excellence in Distance Education in the United States at the Annual Conference on Global Leading, Learning, and Research, July 25-30, 2004, Disney's Contemporary Resort, Orlando, Florida. The Institute at Oklahoma State University is a recognized leader in pioneering the use of educational technology. The purpose of this award is to recognize an outstanding individual that has had a positive impact on learning through educational telecommunications. The recipient must have made a significant impact on the learning process with the use of technology. Emphasis will be placed on the creative use of telecommunications technologies to enhance learning. The award will consist of a cash award of $1,500 and a Polycom classroom technology package. The winner is required to be present on July 25, 2004 to receive the award at the Orlando conference.

The Institute welcomes nominations of individuals in Higher Education that have demonstrated innovative and effective teaching and learning strategies and outcomes using technology to teach at a distance. Teacher training and Adult Education Programs are included in this year’s competition. Nominations include the attached nomination form and a letter (limited to two pages) that describes the nominee’s unique contribution to the field together with evidence of evaluation of the learning outcome that can be attributed to the nominee’s methods. A videotape or access to the website used for course delivery should also be included.

Please send five copies of nomination materials to:

Marshall Allen, Director
Institute for Telecommunications
100 Telecommunications Center
Oklahoma State University
Stillwater, Oklahoma 74078

All nominations must be received by May 21, 2004. Nominations will be evaluated and the winner selected on the basis of the four equally weighted criteria that follow. Please note that the bullet points listed under each criteria are not required elements but, rather, are provided to illustrate the types of factors we believe are relevant to each criteria.

25 Points
Demonstrates creativity, innovation, and a mix of technologies to meet specific learning needs.

•	Technologies used for delivery of course enables student access regardless of local conditions that may not accommodate more advanced delivery systems;
•	Technologies and methodologies used in the design of the instruction accommodate individual learning styles;
•	Selection of technology is appropriate to the curriculum content being delivered;
•	Instructional materials are compatible with the technology used for delivery of the course;
•	Instructional design allows for diversity of activities and delivery of information (i.e. breaks from the “sit and deliver” and the “drill and kill” routines;

25 Points
Demonstrates a positive impact on the student’s learning with a formal evaluation of the process.

•	On-going assessment and prompt feed-back of student progress, i.e. quizzes, tests, etc.;
•	Optimum communication between the student and instructor (tutor, or other person who provides student support);
•	Follow-up of students to evaluate the comparability of the distance education course to traditional courses in the same subject, i.e. via employer evaluations, student evaluations, etc.;

25 Points
Demonstrates a record of advancing distance learning with technology through publishing, mentoring, or other community service.

•	Writes articles for professional journals;
•	Presents at conferences, professional meetings, etc.;
•	Utilizes technologies to support community activities, i.e. coordination or preparation for tornado/hurricane/earthquake/terror attack, etc.;
•	Increases the awareness and cooperation of peers in activities that enable them to identify the elements of creating and delivering successful distance education courses;

25 Points
Demonstrates a methodology that is replicable and of value to the teaching profession, which can include class management and communication.

•	Shares instructional design information with colleagues and instructors from other institutions;
•	Collaborates with colleagues to support endeavors (both in distance education and in traditional settings) to incorporate innovative approaches to the design of courses and/or specific lessons as well as class management and student/teacher communications.

Click here to Download the Nomination Form [pdf]