Purpose

To recognize innovative and outstanding distance education course(s) (e.g., fully online, hybrid, remote, etc.). This can be a full course, module, and lesson. This also includes multimedia-based online courses or courses using innovative emerging technologies such as AI, 3D, and VR offered online. One best distance education course will receive this award.

Eligibility/Requirements

• Self-nomination is allowed.

• An individual can make up to two submissions for design awards (i.e., Crystal, Best Practice).

  1. Individuals should communicate with their co-contributors when making nominations.

  2. We strongly suggest people selectively submit their best works.

• At least one of the nominees must be an AECT DDL member at the time of nomination.

• The submissions - the distance education course(s) - should have been developed and taught within the last three years (2020-2023). 

• Projects that won the award in the last three years are not eligible.

• An individual can’t be named for multiple awards for the same project or product.

Required items for submission

1. Extended summary description of the distance education courses should include at least one paragraph for each criterion (1500 words or less not counting references and attachments) should be:

• Name of the course

• Year of the course first developed and taught (e.g. 2023 award for practices in 2020-2023)

• Word count

• How the course is innovative and outstanding

• Purpose or benefit

• Context (institution, learners, faculty, teachers, administrators, course or instructional purpose, etc.)

• How the overall online course design supports instructional goals

• How the online course design components (e.g., learning activities, strategies, techniques, etc.) are engaging in an innovative way

• Evidence of instructional effectiveness (evaluations or assessments)

• Measurable results (the impact on learners and/or instructors)

• Grounded in scholarly, professional literature

2. References (not included in the word count)

3. Attachments (not included in the word count):

• ​Screenshots OR

• The link to the video about distance education course OR

• Login ID/password to the distance education course

How to Submit Nominations

Please submit your nominations by clicking on this DDL Crystal Award Submission link. Note: Sign-in is required in order to upload the files. 

Questions

For more information or questions about the DDL Crystal Award contact the coordinator. 

Award Coordinator

Dr. Tammi Kolski, kolski@mailbox.sc.edu 

DDL-AECT Crystal Award Evaluation Criteria

1. Multimedia-based distance education course or project was active and developed within 3 years prior to conference at which the award is given

•   ____Eligible

•   ____Ineligible (do not proceed) 

2. Required elements (extended description summary, references, and attachments)

• 0 - Didn’t include all required element

• 1 - Included some required elements

• 2 - Included all required elements

3. Extended description summary provided in 1500 words or less not counting references and attachments)

• 0 – Over word limit

• 1 – Word count is acceptable

4. The distance education course is innovative and outstanding

• 0 - No evidence of innovative or outstanding features

• 1 - Some evidence of innovative and outstanding features

• 2 - Innovative and outstanding approach to the entire course or project

5.  Summary states briefly what the purpose or benefit of the distance education course is

• 0 – Insufficient or none

• 1 – Acceptable

• 2 - Well done

• 3 – Exemplary

6.  Description of the instructional context (institution, learners, faculty, teachers, administrators, course or instructional purpose, etc.)

• 0 – insufficient or none

• 1 – sufficient to identify context

• 2 – sufficient to identify potential adaptations for different contexts

7. Overall the distance education course design supports instructional goal and multimedia components or activities are engaging

• 0 – Do not support instructional goal and activities are not engaging

• 1 – Overall course design supports instructional goal but course design components or activities are not engaging

• 2 - Overall course design and all design components support the instructional goal with engaging activities

8.  Summary provides evidence of effectiveness (evaluations or assessments)

• 0 – insufficient or evidence may be compromisingly biased

• 1 – evidence suggests effectiveness but reliability or validity may not be established

• 2 – reliable and valid evidence for effectiveness

9. Measurable results (the impact on learners and/or instructors)

• 0 - no measurable results

• 1 - documented instructional impact on learners and/or instructors

• 2 - positive, documented instructional impact on learners and/or instructors

10. The Distance education course is grounded in scholarly, professional literature

• 0 – No evidence that the course is derived from any previous scholarly or professional work

• 1 - Adequately grounded with specific reference to literature

• 2 - Very well grounded with extensive current, appropriate, relevant citations

11. The distance education course or project has easy access for all reviewers (screenshots, link to the video, or access to the course)

• 0 – Not accessible

• 1 – Somewhat accessible

• 2 – Easy to access

    *DDL Board reserves the right to revise criteria upon suggestion of a Coordinator and to improve the quality and clarity of the evaluation process.

Purpose

The practice that is submitted can be any aspect of distance education that would qualify as a Best Practice. This means that it can serve as an example that can be emulated by others based on the description submitted. The evidence of the best practice could be single or multiple online course design components - activities, strategies, techniques, etc. -  for any type of distance education courses (e.g., fully online, hybrid, remote, etc.). Some potential topics include recommending a way to do something, addressing an issue, or showing recommendations for practitioners working in distance education.  Should include evidence of effectiveness (evaluations or assessments). One best practice will receive this award.

Examples: 1) Apply learning analytics (e.g., logins, time spent, interaction frequency, etc.) to enhance online students’ self-regulation strategy, 2) Provide late assignment tokens to accommodate online learners, 3) Use a leaderboard (gamification component) to increase learner participation in online discussions.

Eligibility/Requirements

• Self-nomination is allowed.

• An individual can make up to two submissions for design awards (i.e., Crystal, Best Practice).

  1. Individuals should communicate with their co-contributors when making nominations.

  2. We strongly suggest people selectively submit their best works.

• At least one of the nominees must be an AECT DDL member at the time of nomination.

• The submissions - the online course design components in a distance education course - should have been developed and taught within the last three years (2020-2023). 

• The online course design components that won the award in the last three years are not eligible.

• An individual can’t be named for multiple awards for the same project or product.

Required items for submission

To nominate a best practice submit the following documentation: 

1. Extended summary description of the practice should include at least one paragraph for each criterion (1500 words or less not counting references and attachments) should be:

   • Name of best practice

   • Year of best practice (e.g. 2023 award for practices in 2020-2023)

   • Word count

   • Purpose or benefit

   • Context (institution, learners, faculty, teachers, administrators, course or instructional purpose, etc.)

   • Evidence of effectiveness (evaluations or assessments)

   • Measurable results (the impact on learners and/or instructors)

   • Description of the best practice implementation

   • How the best practice is consistent with exemplary, professional practice

   • How the best practice is innovative and may be applicable to a wider audience

   • Grounded in scholarly, professional literature

2. References (not included in the word count)

3. Attachments (not included in the word count):

   • PDF of screenshots or PDF of book chapter/journal article or example (i.e., the link to the video) OR login ID/password to the online course

How to Submit Nominations

Please submit your nominations by clicking on this DDL Distance Education Best Practice Award submission link. Note: Sign-in is required in order to upload the files. 

Questions

For more information or questions about the DDL Distance Education Best Practice Award contact the coordinator.

Award Coordinator

Dr. David Stone, destone@umich.edu 

DDL Distance Education Best Practice Award Evaluation Criteria

 1. Practice in use within 3 years prior to conference at which the award is given 

•  ____Eligible

•  ____Ineligible (do not proceed)

2. Required elements (extended description summary, references, and attachments)

• 0 - Didn’t include all required elements

• 1 - Included some required elements

• 2 - Included all required elements

3. Extended description summary provided in 1500 words or less not counting references and attachments)

•  0 – Over word limit

•  1 – Word count is acceptable

4.  Summary states briefly what the purpose or benefit of the practice is

•  0 – Insufficient or none

•  1 – Acceptable

•  2 - Well done

•  3 – Exemplary

5.  Description of the instructional context (institution, learners, faculty, teachers, administrators, course or instructional purpose, etc.)

• 0 – insufficient or none

• 1 – sufficient to identify context

• 2 – sufficient to identify potential adaptations for different contexts

6.  Summary provides evidence of effectiveness (evaluations or assessments)

• 0 – insufficient or evidence may be compromisingly biased

• 1 – evidence suggests effectiveness but reliability or validity may not be established

• 2 – reliable and valid evidence for effectiveness

7. Measurable results (the impact on learners and/or instructors)

• 0 - no measurable results

• 1 - documented instructional impact on learners and/or instructors

• 2 - positive, documented instructional impact on learners and/or instructors

8. Description of implementation of the best practice

• 0 – insufficient or none

• 1 – acceptable

• 2 -  well done

• 3 – exemplary

9.  The supporting documentation is consistent with exemplary, professional practice

• 0 – insufficient or none

• 1 – acceptable

• 2 - well done  

• 3 – exemplary  

10. Practice is innovative and may be applicable to a wider audience

• 0 - No evidence of innovation.

• 1 - Some evidence of innovation and may be applicable to a small audience.

• 2 - Innovative and applicable to a wider audience

11. Practice grounded in scholarly, professional literature

• 0 – No evidence that the practice is derived from any previous scholarly or professional work

• 1 - Adequately grounded with specific reference to literature

• 2 - Very well grounded with extensive current, appropriate, relevant citations

12. The best practice has easy access for all reviewers (screenshots, link to the video, book chapter/journal article or access to the project/online course)

• 0 – Not accessible

• 1 – Somewhat accessible

• 2 – Easy to access

*DDL Board reserves the right to revise criteria upon suggestion of a Coordinator and to improve the quality and clarity of the evaluation process.

Purpose

The outstanding book award recognizes a print or digital book published in English with a copyright date within the last three years (2020-2023) that describes important theoretical or practical aspects of distance education that can help others involved in distance education or those researching an important aspect of distance education. One best book in distance education will receive this award. 

Eligibility/Requirements

• Self-nomination is allowed. 

• An individual can make up to two submissions for writing awards (i.e., Book, Book Chapter, Journal Articles, Graduate Student Research).

  1. An individual can’t be nominated for more than 2 writing awards as the first author. For example, if an individual is nominated as the first author for 2 journal articles, they cannot be nominated for a book or book chapter as the first author.

  2. Individuals should communicate with their co-authors when making nominations. 

  3. We strongly suggest people selectively submit their best works.

• At least one of the nominees must be an AECT DDL member at the time of nomination.

• The books that have won the award previously are not eligible.

• The submissions should have been published within the last three years (2020-2023). Books nominated must bear a copyright date of 2020, 2021, 2022, or 2023.

• An individual can’t be named for multiple awards for the same project or product.

How to Submit Nominations

Nominations can be made using this Google Form; note that a copy of the nominated book must be shipped to each member of the award committee. If desired, other informational materials which help to describe the nature and quality of the book can be included when the books are shipped or via email.

We strongly suggest that individuals inform their co-authors when making a nomination.

Note. If you are submitting a physical book or book chapter, please complete the nominations by April 15th, 2023, and get your book and book chapter delivered by Sunday, April 30th, 2023.

Questions

For more information or questions about the DDL Distance Education Book Award contact the coordinator. 

Award Coordinators

Main coordinator: Dr. Fatimah Wirth, fatimah.wirth@pe.gatech.edu 

Co-coordinator: Dr. Angela van Barneveld, avanbarn@gmail.com 

DDL Distance Education Book Award Evaluation Criteria

The book should have a copyright date of 2018-2021. The book should describe important theoretical or practical aspects of distance education that can help others involved in distance education or those researching an important aspect of distance education. The entire book should be focused on some aspect of distance education; a book that has a few chapters on distance education would not qualify. The nominator’s rationale for nomination should address these criteria. If desired, other informational materials which help to describe the nature and quality of the book can be included when the books are shipped.

Below are specific criteria for evaluating each book nominee.

1. Published in English with a copyright date within three years

• ____Eligible

•  ____Ineligible (do not proceed)

2. Contribution to distance education theory or practice

• 0  - One of many books on the topic; adds minimal amount of new contributions to the field

• 1  - Contribution adds new information on an important topic

• 2  - Broad, substantive contribution that adds new information on timely, important topics

3. Writing

• 0  – Challenges to coherence, organization, and/or mechanics interfere with reader’s ability to understand authors’ meaning

• 1 - Coherence, organization, and mechanics support authors’ message; text is accessible by intended audience

• 2 - Overall coherence, organization, mechanics, and style promote authors’ message and make the text accessible to readers with a variety of interests related to distance learning (e.g., practitioners, researchers, administrators)

4. The book addresses a distance education issue, practice, or framework that appeals to

• 0 – A narrow subgroup of distance educators; book likely appeals to a limited audience in terms of role (e.g., only practitioners, researchers, or administrators) and/or content (i.e., a single subject domain)

• 1 - Many distance educators across multiple roles (e.g., only practitioners, researchers, and administrators) and/or content (i.e., subject domains)

• 2 - Most distance educators across multiple roles (e.g., practitioners, researchers, and administrators) and content (i.e., subject domains)

5. Scholarly, professional content

• 0 - Few, if any, citations and references within previous 5 years or seminal works are included

• 1 - Adequately grounded with citations and references within previous 5 years or seminal works; may be a case book with content relative to a current or needed topic

• 2 - Very well grounded with extensive citations and references within previous 5 years or seminal works; book clearly builds on previous findings or challenges those findings with new evidence or perspective

*DDL Board reserves the right to revise criteria upon suggestion of a Coordinator and to improve the quality and clarity of the evaluation process.

Purpose

The outstanding book chapter award recognizes a book chapter in a print or digital book published in English with a copyright date within the last three years (2020-2023) that describes important theoretical or practical aspects of distance education that can help others involved in distance education or those researching an important aspect of distance education. One best book chapter in distance education will receive this award. 

Eligibility/Requirements

• Self-nomination is allowed.

• An individual can make up to two submissions for writing awards (i.e., Book, Book Chapter, Journal Articles, Graduate Student Research).

  • An individual can’t be nominated for more than 2 writing awards as the first author. For example, if an individual is nominated as the first author for 2 journal articles, they cannot be nominated for a book or book chapter as the first author.

  • Individuals should communicate with their co-authors when making nominations. 

  • We strongly suggest people selectively submit their best works.

• At least one of the nominees must be an AECT DDL member at the time of nomination.

• The book chapters that have won the award previously are not eligible.

• The submissions should have been published within the last three years (2020-2023). Books to which the book chapter belongs must bear a copyright date of 2020, 2021, 2022, or 2023.

• An individual can’t be named for multiple awards for the same project or product.

How to Submit Nominations

Nominations can be made using this Google Form; you can submit a PDF version of your book chapter or ship a copy of the nominated book to each member of the award committee. If desired, other informational materials which help to describe the nature and quality of the book can be included when the book (or book chapter) is shipped or uploaded, or can be sent via email. 

We strongly suggest that individuals inform their co-authors when making a nomination.

Note. 

1. If you are submitting a physical book or book chapter, please complete the nominations by April 15th, 2023, and get your book and book chapter delivered by Sunday, April 30th, 2023.

2. If you are submitting a PDF version, please submit the PDF of the chapter relating to the original published format. Do not submit a PDF file of a submitted manuscript, page proofs, etc. Manuscripts that do not conform to these guidelines will not be considered.

Questions

For more information or questions about the DDL Distance Education Book Chapter Award contact the coordinators. 

Award Coordinators

Main coordinator: Dr. Fatimah Wirth, fatimah.wirth@pe.gatech.edu  

Co-coordinator: Dr. Chad Clark, cclark2@bradley.edu 

DDL Distance Education Book Award Evaluation Criteria

The book should have a copyright date of 2018-2021. The book should describe important theoretical or practical aspects of distance education that can help others involved in distance education or those researching an important aspect of distance education. The entire book should be focused on some aspect of distance education; a book that has a few chapters on distance education would not qualify. The nominator’s rationale for nomination should address these criteria. If desired, other informational materials which help to describe the nature and quality of the book can be included when the books are shipped.

Below are specific criteria for evaluating each book nominee.

1. Published in English with a copyright date within three years

• ____Eligible

•  ____Ineligible (do not proceed)

2. Contribution to distance education theory or practice

• 0  - adds minimal amount of new contributions to the field

• 1  - Contribution adds new information on an important topic

• 2  - Broad, substantive contribution that adds new information on timely, important topics

3. Writing

• 0  – Challenges to coherence, organization, and/or mechanics interfere with reader’s ability to understand authors’ meaning

• 1 - Coherence, organization, and mechanics support authors’ message; text is accessible by intended audience

• 2 - Overall coherence, organization, mechanics, and style promote authors’ message and make the text accessible to readers with a variety of interests related to distance learning (e.g., practitioners, researchers, administrators)

4. The book chapter addresses a distance education issue, practice, or framework that appeals to

• 0 – A narrow subgroup of distance educators; book likely appeals to a limited audience in terms of role (e.g., only practitioners, researchers, or administrators) and/or content (i.e., a single subject domain)

• 1 - Many distance educators across multiple roles (e.g., only practitioners, researchers, and administrators) and/or content (i.e., subject domains)

• 2 - Most distance educators across multiple roles (e.g., practitioners, researchers, and administrators) and content (i.e., subject domains)

5. Scholarly, professional content

• 0 - Few, if any, citations and references within previous 5 years or seminal works are included

• 1 - Adequately grounded with citations and references within previous 5 years or seminal works; may be a case book with content relative to a current or needed topic

• 2 - Very well grounded with extensive citations and references within previous 5 years or seminal works; book clearly builds on previous findings or challenges those findings with new evidence or perspective

*DDL Board reserves the right to revise criteria upon suggestion of a Coordinator and to improve the quality and clarity of the evaluation process.

Purpose

To recognize outstanding journal articles, published in the last three years (2020-2023), that describe best practices in distance education or the research on an important aspect of distance education. There are four categories for journal article award: qualitative, quantitative, mixed methods, and application. One best article from each category will receive this award. 

Requirements

• Self-nomination is allowed.

• An individual can make up to two submissions for writing awards (i.e., Book, Book Chapter, Journal Articles, Graduate Student Research).

  1. An individual can’t be nominated for more than 2 writing awards as the first author. For example, if an individual is nominated as the first author for 2 journal articles, they cannot be nominated for a book or book chapter as the first author.

  2. Individuals should communicate with their co-authors when making nominations. 

  3. We strongly suggest people selectively submit their best works.

• At least one of the nominees must be an AECT DDL member at the time of nomination.

• The submissions - (an) original empirical or article(s) - should have been published in peer reviewed journals within the last three years (2020-2023). Journals nominated must bear a copyright date of 2020, 2021, 2022, or 2023.

• The journal articles that have won the award previously are not eligible.

• An individual can’t be named for multiple awards for the same project or product.

Article Type Descriptions 

• Quantitative - Quantitative research includes studies which mainly collect numerical data and use any types of data analytics (e.g., descriptive, diagnostic, predictive, prescriptive) to answer research questions (Puget, 2015). Statistical analysis and network analysis are often used to analyze data and examine relationships among variables. Meta analysis articles can be submitted in this category.

• Qualitative - Qualitative research includes studies which mainly collect textual data and interpret the data to answer research questions. Thematic analysis, content analysis, and discourse analysis are often used to analyze data and understand educational problems and/or phenomena. Systematic reviews that include thematic analysis of the articles should be submitted under this category. 

• Mixed Methods - Mixed methods research is the type of research in which a researcher or team of researchers collect both numerical and textual data to answer research questions. It combines elements of quantitative and qualitative research approaches in data collection, data analysis, and report of findings. Systematic or scoping reviews can be submitted under this category. 

• Application -  This research includes practical applications, possibly for practitioners. Some potential topics include recommending a way to do something, addressing an issue or showing recommendations for practitioners working in distance education. This may or may not be empirical using quantitative and/or qualitative data. 

Required Items for Submission

To submit a nomination to the journal award please submit the PDF of the journal article in the original published format. Do not submit a PDF file of a submitted manuscript, page proofs, etc. Manuscripts that do not conform to these guidelines will not be considered. 

How to Submit Nominations

Please submit your nominations by clicking on the following DDL Journal Article Award submission links

• Quantitative - submission link

• Qualitative - submission link

• Mixed Method- submission link

• Application - submission link

Note: Sign-in is required in order to upload the files.

We strongly suggest that individuals inform their co-authors when making a nomination.

Questions

For more information or questions about the journal awards, contact the journal award coordinator(s).   

Award Coordinator

Quantitative/Mixed-Method Studies: 

Main coordinator: Dr. Hale H. Turhangil Erenler, hhterenler@gmail.com

Co-coordinator (Mixed-Method): Dr. Erika Stevens, erika.stevens@ws.edu

Co-coordinator (Quantitative): Dr. Henry Moon, hymoon@augusta.edu 

Qualitative/Application Category

Main coordinator: Dr. Feng-Ru Sheu, fsheu@kent.edu

Co-coordinator (Qualitative): Dr. Thanh Do, dtpthanh@gmail.com

Co-coordinator (Application): Dr. Mubeshera Tufail, mubesheratufail@yahoo.com

Co-coordinator (Application): Tracy Robinson, jtracyrobinson@gmail.com 

References

Puget, J.F. (2015), “Analytics Landscape”, IT Best Kept Secret Is Optimization.

Dekkers, R., Carey, L., & Langhorne, P. (2022). Combining Quantitative and Qualitative Syntheses. In Making Literature Reviews Work: A Multidisciplinary Guide to Systematic Approaches (pp. 417-437). Springer, Cham. 

DDL Journal Article Evaluation Criteria

1. Published within 3 years prior to conference at which the award is given

•  __Eligible

•  __Ineligible (do not proceed)

2. Contribution to distance education practice

• 0 - One of many articles on the topic

• 1 - Substantive contribution on important topic

• 2 - Broad, substantive contribution on timely, important topic

3. Writing quality

• 0 - Sometimes lacks organization or clarity; several writing errors are present

• 1 - Organized and readable style; no writing errors present

• 2 - Well-written and well organized

4. The article addresses a distance education application or practice or research that appeals to

• 0 - some distance educators.

• 1 - many distance educators.

• 2 - most distance educators.

5. Scholarly, professional content

• 0 - Few if any current references or citations

• 1 - Adequately grounded with current references and citations

• 2 - Very well grounded with extensive current, appropriate, and relevant citations

6. Is the manuscript's organization clear, and does it include all the necessary components? (Depending on the type of the article, the structure may include Abstract, Introduction and/or Background, Review of Literature, Methods, Results, Discussion/Recommendations, References, and Acknowledgments section, if applicable)

• 0 - Organization is not clear and doesn't include all the necessary components

• 1 - Organization is clear, but some necessary components are not included

• 2 - Organization is clear, and it includes all the necessary components

7. Research Articles Only (Quan, Qual, MM) - Is information provided on the research design, participants, and variables sufficient to allow others to replicate the study?

• 0 - information is not sufficient for others to replicate the study

• 1 - some information is missing to replicate the study

• 2 - information is sufficient to replicate the study

8. Application Articles Only- Is information provided on the practical application to allow others to understand the practical application?

• 0 - information is not sufficient to understand the practical application

• 1 - some information is missing to understand the practical application

• 2 - information is sufficient to understand the practical application

Purpose

To promote the graduate students’ research efforts and recognize their research published in the last three years (2020-2023), that describe best practices in distance education or the research on an important aspect of distance education. There are four categories for journal article awards: qualitative, quantitative, mixed methods, and application. One best article from each category will receive this award. 

Requirements

• Self-nomination is allowed.

• An individual can make up to two submissions for writing awards (i.e., Book, Book Chapter, Journal Articles, Graduate Student Research).

  1. An individual can’t be nominated for more than 2 writing awards as the first author. For example, if an individual is nominated as the first author for 2 journal articles, they cannot be nominated for a book or book chapter as the first author.

  2. Individuals should communicate with their co-authors when making nominations. 

  3. We strongly suggest people selectively submit their best works.

• At least one of the nominees must be an AECT DDL member at the time of nomination.

• Research must have been conducted in the last three years (2020-2023) while nominees were graduate students. 

• The graduate student nominee must have been the primary researcher and if a paper is co-authored, the candidate must be the first author.

• The submissions - (an) original empirical or article(s) - should have been published in peer-reviewed journals within the last three years (2020-2023). Journals nominated must bear a copyright date of 2020, 2021, 2022, or 2023.

• The journal articles that have won the award previously are not eligible.

• An individual can’t be named for multiple awards for the same project or product.

Article Type Descriptions 

• Quantitative - Quantitative research includes studies that mainly collect numerical data and use any type of data analytics (e.g., descriptive, diagnostic, predictive, prescriptive) to answer research questions (Puget, 2015). Statistical analysis and network analysis are often used to analyze data and examine relationships among variables. Meta-analysis articles can be submitted in this category.

• Qualitative - Qualitative research includes studies that mainly collect textual data and interpret the data to answer research questions. Thematic, content and discourse analyses are often used to analyze data and understand educational problems and/or phenomena. Systematic reviews that include thematic analysis of the articles should be submitted under this category. 

• Mixed Methods - Mixed methods research is the type of research in which a researcher or team of researchers collect both numerical and textual data to answer research questions. It combines elements of quantitative and qualitative research approaches in data collection, data analysis, and report of findings. Systematic or scoping reviews can be submitted under this category. 

• Application -  This research includes practical applications, possibly for practitioners. Some potential topics include recommending a way to do something, addressing an issue or showing recommendations for practitioners working in distance education. This may or may not be empirical using quantitative and/or qualitative data. 

Required Items for Submission

To submit a nomination to the journal award please submit the PDF of the journal article in the original published format. Do not submit a PDF file of a submitted manuscript, page proofs, etc. Manuscripts that do not conform to these guidelines will not be considered. 

How to Submit Nominations

Please submit your nominations by clicking on the following DDL Journal Article Award submission links

• Quantitative - submission link

• Qualitative - submission link

• Mixed - submission link

• Application - submission link

Note: Sign-in is required in order to upload the files.

Questions

For more information or questions about the journal awards, contact the journal award coordinator(s).   

Award Coordinator

Quantitative/Mixed-Method Studies: 

Main coordinator: Dr. Hale H. Turhangil Erenler, hhterenler@gmail.com

Co-coordinator (Mixed-Method): Dr. Erika Stevens, erika.stevens@ws.edu

Co-coordinator (Quantitative): Dr. Henry Moon, hymoon@augusta.edu 

Qualitative/Application Category

Main coordinator: Dr. Feng-Ru Sheu, fsheu@kent.edu

Co-coordinator (Qualitative): Dr. Thanh Do, dtpthanh@gmail.com

Co-coordinator (Application): Dr. Mubeshera Tufail, mubesheratufail@yahoo.com

Co-coordinator (Application): Tracy Robinson, jtracyrobinson@gmail.com 

References

Puget, J.F. (2015), “Analytics Landscape”, IT Best Kept Secret Is Optimization.

Dekkers, R., Carey, L., & Langhorne, P. (2022). Combining Quantitative and Qualitative Syntheses. In Making Literature Reviews Work: A Multidisciplinary Guide to Systematic Approaches (pp. 417-437). Springer, Cham. 

DDL Graduate Student Research Award Evaluation Criteria

1. Published within 3 years prior to conference at which the award is given

•  __Eligible

•  __Ineligible (do not proceed)

2. Contribution to distance education practice

• 0 - One of many articles on the topic

• 1 - Substantive contribution on important topic

• 2 - Broad, substantive contribution on timely, important topic

3. Writing quality

• 0 - Sometimes lacks organization or clarity; several writing errors are present

• 1 - Organized and readable style; no writing errors present

• 2 - Well-written and well organized

4. The article addresses a distance education application or practice or research that appeals to

• 0 - some distance educators.

• 1 - many distance educators.

• 2 - most distance educators.

5. Scholarly, professional content

• 0 - Few if any current references or citations

• 1 - Adequately grounded with current references and citations

• 2 - Very well grounded with extensive current, appropriate, and relevant citations

6. Is the manuscript's organization clear, and does it include all the necessary components? (Depending on the type of the article, the structure may include Abstract, Introduction and/or Background, Review of Literature, Methods, Results, Discussion/Recommendations, References, and Acknowledgments section, if applicable)

• 0 - Organization is not clear and doesn't include all the necessary components

• 1 - Organization is clear, but some necessary components are not included

• 2 - Organization is clear, and it includes all the necessary components

7. Research Articles Only (Quan, Qual, MM) - Is information provided on the research design, participants, and variables sufficient to allow others to replicate the study?

• 0 - information is not sufficient for others to replicate the study

• 1 - some information is missing to replicate the study

• 2 - information is sufficient to replicate the study

8. Application Articles Only- Is information provided on the practical application to allow others to understand the practical application?

• 0 - information is not sufficient to understand the practical application

• 1 - some information is missing to understand the practical application

• 2 - information is sufficient to understand the practical application

This award will be given out annually to honor a DDL-sponsored conference proposal that is an example of best practices in distance education or leads to the improvement of distance education. All DDL-sponsored conference proposals will be considered. Contact the President-Elect for more information. Criteria will include proposal reviewer scores, ranking and/or reviewer comments. The final decision will be made by the President-Elect. No submissions or nominations are required for this award. 

1. What does one win?

   • Certificate of recognition.

2. What is the purpose of the Awards?

   • The Awards promote quality, professional distance learning activities and products and publicly acknowledge exemplary instances in six categories.

3. Do nominees submitting the application have to be AECT members?

   • At least one nominee must be a member of AECT in good standing at the time of nomination.

4. How do I know what evidence to submit for the award?

   • It varies by award and award criteria. Some are identified in the Award criteria, such as specifications for instructional product summaries required for two awards [Best Practices and Crystal Award]. Ask the specific Award’s coordinator.

5. What language must my nomination be presented/written in?

   • All submissions/nominations must be presented/written in English, or translated to English.

6. Can I submit a book or journal nomination?

   • All professionals who read a book or journal article that they think meets criteria are invited to submit it – submit your nomination to the Award’s coordinator.

7. Can a submission/nomination be submitted to more than one division?

   • Yes.

8. Can previously winning entries be resubmitted to DDL Awards?

   • Previous products (entries) that have been awarded a DDL award may not be resubmitted to DDL awards in the same category within the following 3 years unless the work has gone through major revisions and could be viewed as a different product or artifact.

9. Can a submission/nomination be submitted to more than one DDL Award?

   • An individual can make up to two submissions for writing awards (i.e., Book, Book Chapter, Journal Articles, and Graduate Student Research Awards), and two submissions for design awards (i.e., Crystal, Best Practice). 

   • For writing awards, an individual can’t be nominated for more than 2 writing awards as the first author. For example, if an individual is nominated as the first author for 2 journal articles, they cannot be nominated for a book or book chapter as the first author.

10. Can a winner submit a product again in subsequent years?

    • A product can only win a single award.

11. How do I know the award nomination results?

    • The award nomination results will be announced (DDL listserv, DDL website, DDL Facebook, DDL LinkedIn, DDL Instagram ) and recipients and nominators will be emailed in early-August. The awards recipients will be published in the AECT conference program.