2009 International Distance

Learning Awards

Call for Nominations - October 22, 2009 - January 14, 2009   

Award Entry Submission Deadline -Submitted / Postmarked by January 14, 2009  

The United States Distance Learning Association, the nation’s premier distance learning association since 1987 presents its 2009 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. 

2008 International Award Winners

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. 

Submit Your 2009 Nomination Today (Click Here)

The 2009 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 2009 USDLA International Awards will be presented at the USDLA International Awards Ceremony, scheduled for Tuesday, April 28, 2009 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.

Submit Your 2009 Nomination Today (Click Here):
http://www.usdla.org/index.php?cid=117

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)

1. What options are available for submitting an entry so judges can evaluate them online?

1. When you submit your entry there is a place for you to put the URL w/ logon & password info for judges to access your site.

2. You can insert screen shots in your submission to show areas you wish to highlight.

3. You can also do a YouTube/Google video of it to show off various functions or areas you wish to draw attention to based on your responses to the criteria.  Plug the URL in for judges to see as well.

2. Is there a space limitation for submissions in terms of number of pages or word count?

NO real page limits…just make sure to hit/answer the criteria and provide evidence, etc.  There is a 5 MB limitation for a PDF. P.S. Always good to not kill the judges with 250 pages of stuff as well:)))

3.  For a “website” submission, does this mean the award nominator’s content can be put on the submitting company’s website and then can one send the URL to USDLA when inputting contact information online?

YES, you can put the URL in as you submit it online along with any login and password data.  Good to add a word document as well to tell your story / answer the criteria if the site does not do it clearly.  Use your website, blog, YouTube/Google video, Facebook, etc. to tell your story and just make sure you answer the areas noted in the criteria.  We want you to be creative as you can.

4. Is there a limitation on the number of web pages used to display the nomination content?

NO limit to the number of web pages. 

5.    Is there a specific format in which the nominator’s content should be arranged? For example, is it up to the submitter to organize the material in the best way that reflects the judging attributes?

Arrange it based on the order of the criteria, but it really is your call on format, etc.  It is up to you to organize the material in the way you think it will best reflect the judging attributes as well. Have some fun with it as long as you answer the criteria and provide any evidence you can to give the judges a good feel and picture for your submission.

6. How can testimonials be submitted?

You can scan them in and save them as PDF.  The system will take PDF, .doc or image uploads.

7. When will award winners be notified?

By February 25^, 2009, USDLA will notify winners and non-winners by phone and/ or e-mail with follow-up letters.

8. How secure will my material be?

All entries and related courses, material and content are kept confidential for judging purposes only.

9. Can I submit an award on behalf of my client?

Yes, you can submit a nomination on behalf of your client.  Please note that for US government entries, you may have to consult your legal team regarding legal gift restrictions.

10. Is there a limit to the number of submissions an organization can submit?

NO

11. What is the absolute latest time I can submit my award?

All award submission should be submitted by 12 midnight (ET) on January 14, 2009.