The United States Distance Learning Association, the nation's premier distance learning association since 1987 presents its 2008 International Distance Learning Awards, the premier awards for the distance learning industry. “These prestigious awards are presented annually to organizations and individuals, and recognize four categories of excellence: 1) 21st Century Best Practice Award; 2) Best Practice Awards for Distance Learning Programming; 3) Excellence in Distance Learning Teaching Awards; and 4) Outstanding Leadership by an Individual Award. The USDLA International Distance Learning Awards are created to acknowledge major accomplishments in distance learning and to highlight those distance learning instructors, programs, and professionals who have achieved and demonstrated extraordinary achievements through the use of online, videoconferencing, and satellite/video delivery technologies globally.

The USDLA International Distance Learning Awards will honor organizations with its 21 Century Best Practice Awards. This award category recognizes outstanding leadership in the field of distance learning for an agency, institution, or company incorporating blended or individual distance learning technologies. In addition, the Awards for Best Practice in Distance Learning Programming are presented to outstanding organizations, which have designed and delivered outstanding and comprehensive Best Practices for individual programs or a series of programs through online, videoconferencing, and satellite delivery technologies. Award levels include Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze categories. The Excellence in Distance Learning Teaching Awards will honor outstanding instructors whose programs demonstrate extraordinary achievements in a distance learning environment for teachers or trainers. Award levels include Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze categories. Finally, the Outstanding Leadership by an Individual awards recognize those who have demonstrated strong, innovative skills for the development and/or administration of programs or who are recognized scholars in the field of distance learning globally.

The 2008 USDLA International Distance Learning Awards are presented to five major sectors of distance education and training and include the Pre-K - 12, Higher Education, Corporate, Government and Telehealth markets.

The 2008 USDLA International Awards will be presented at the USDLA International Awards Ceremony, scheduled for Tuesday, April 22, 2008 during the USDLA National Conference being held in St. Louis, Missouri, USA.

In addition, winners will be recognized in an edition of USDLA’s Distance Learning Today quarterly supplement.  Distance Learning Today appears in USA TODAY's top-tier markets for distance learning - major commuter hubs, convention centers and hotels.  It is read by 3.5 million goal-oriented, affluent professionals who recognize the value of distance learning, education and training. The section will also be featured on the USDLA website, which averages 2.6 million hits per month.

Note that all nominations should try to load all related documentation for your submission on your website in an organized manner for reviews. Submissions can be submitted in two formats after inputting contact information online: 1) website or 2) upload PDF/.doc not to exceed 5 MB.

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This award is given to an agency, institution, or company that has shown outstanding leadership in the field of distance learning.  The award recognizes pioneering organizations in the field that have changed distance learning, as well as new organizations that have challenged existing practice by developing new and innovative solutions for distance learning instruction and employee distance learning training programs. Technology delivery can be either stand alone, online, satellite, videoconferencing or a blended method.

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These awards are given to outstanding programming, which have designed and delivered outstanding and comprehensive best practices distance learning programming for an individual program or a series of programs. This award category includes online distance learning, video conferencing, and satellite distance learning. Award levels include Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze Best Practice Awards for Distance Learning Programming.

Awards Criteria includes:

•	Interactivity
•	Online Design
•	Technology
•	Assessment

Awards Criteria includes:

•	Production Lighting, Sound, Visual Environment, Broadcast Connectivity and Speed
•	Program Delivery - Content
•	Integration of Technologies
•	Program Development Presenter
•	Wrap Around Experience
•	Impact on Participant Learning

Awards Criteria includes:

•	Interactivity
•	Online Design
•	Technology
•	Assessment

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These awards are given to outstanding individuals whose programs demonstrate extraordinary achievements in scholarly research and writing, leadership, and service including long-term contributions that enhance and create a better understanding of distance learning for teaching or training environments.  The Excellence in Distance Learning Teaching nominees will only be considered for the Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Bronze award levels.  Use of technology delivery (online, satellite, and video) will not be a consideration in this award category.

Awards Criteria includes:

•	Presentation Skills
•	Student Support / Interactivity
•	Communicates High Expectations
•	Content

Awards Criteria includes:

•	Presentation Skills
•	Student Support / Interactivity
•	Assessment Elements
•	Communicates High Expectations
•	Content

Awards Criteria includes:

•	Interactivity
•	Student Support
•	Assessment
•	Communicates High Expectations
•	Online Design

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Nomination Entry Information: Awardees in this category demonstrate outstanding leadership in the field of distance learning. They may be recognized for a variety of reasons such as: developer of an innovative distance learning program; director of a program which has achieved state or national recognition; developer of new distance learning technologies; editor of a respected trade journal, or a leader recognized for her/his scholarly research in the field of distance learning.

Awards Criteria includes:

•	A descriptive essay on why the individual is qualified to receive this award. (not to exceed five pages)
•	Three testimonials from the field supporting the candidates qualifications for the award.
•	Access to the program(s) or services that the individual has developed or directed.
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