2023-2024 Applications

Award Background

Since 2007, the eLearning Council (ELC) has provided recognition to members of SBCTC institutions for innovative work in the field of eLearning. Originally named the ELC Award, in 2017, the award was renamed in honor of a retired colleague, Connie Broughton, who had contributed to our work since the inception of the award. The intent of the award has always included the desire to recognize and share exceptional eLearning-related work done within our system.  

Two winners will be selected during this nomination cycle, one for the 2020-21 academic year and another for the 2021-22 academic year.  The individual awardee or team will receive a commemorative plaque, one non-taxable $200 gift card (contributed by the ELC), and an invitation to present their work during the spring 2022 WACCy Wednesday Webinar series.

Award Objectives

Specifically, the objectives of The Connie Broughton Innovation in eLearning Award intends to provide:

1. System-wide share out of adaptable, replicable, innovative, and pedagogically-sound instructional technologies and teaching practices.

2. Celebration of work within Washington State institutions that enhances fully online, hybrid/blended, and web-enhanced teaching and learning.

3. Alignment with the eLearning Council constitution (a) to provide leadership and professional development in promoting, support and delivery of eLearning activities within each community or technical college district, the state and the nation; and (b) to promote the effective use of eLearning technology and provide information and training for administrators, faculty, and students.

To accomplish these objectives, the ELC Award Committee is accepting submissions from individuals or groups that describe and demonstrate replicable eLearning projects, practices, and techniques. The winning entry applicant will be asked to present their work during the spring 2022 WACCy Wednesday Webinar series.

Topics may include (but are not limited to) improving, contributing to, developing, and exploring eLearning teaching and learning related to:

• Equity and inclusion

• Student motivation and engagement

• Student recruitment, retention, and completion

• Open Educational Resources (OER)

• Professional development for faculty teaching online

• Effective use of instructional technologies

• Online or hybrid/blended course development

Award Criteria

Applications will be evaluated on the following five categories:

1. Description and Summary:  Explanation describing the eLearning project, practice, or technique to be considered for the award. Include a summary of how the project reflects innovation in eLearning and its value if shared with others in our system. 

2. Quality of Artifacts:  Documents, videos, examples, links, etc. that supplement the project description. Links to websites, presentation materials, videos, or other artifacts that illustrate your project, practice, or technique are welcome. As appropriate, ensure that these artifacts contribute to the replicability of your work.

3. Degree of Innovation in eLearning for Teaching and Learning: Explanation of how your submission (method, process, product, etc.) is a new or updated practice, or a twist on conventional practice.

4. Replicability Options for Adopters:  Explanation of how your submission something that other institutions, departments, courses, instructors, or others can copy, reproduce, reuse, repurpose, and/or adapt. NOTE: Qualifying works must not be copyrighted or otherwise limited in use. Be sure to explain usage permission in your submission.

5. Evidence of Impact on eLearning Teaching and Learning:  Explanation of the ways your project has had an effect on your college, department, course, teaching, students’ learning, etc. Please provide evidence that documents this impact.

Award Eligibility

Faculty, staff, students, or administrators working within the Washington Community and Technical College system can apply on behalf of themselves or someone else. A team of people including faculty, staff, students, and/or administrators can also submit an application.

How to Apply

You may apply for yourself, apply on behalf of a group, or nominate an individual or group by completing The Connie Broughton Innovation in eLearning Award application form linked below.

Questions

Please direct questions to Sarah Griffith, at sgriffith@lowercolumbia.edu. 

Prior Awards

2022-2023: 

• Stephen Shoemake from Walla Walla Community College for Making Online Anatomy & Physiology “Human”

2021-22: 

• Stephanie Bartlett from Shoreline Community College for Designing for Academic Integrity

2020-21: 

• Yun Moh from Renton Technical College for Innovation with their Flexible Learning EXperiences (FLEX) Project

2019-20:

• Virginia Kyle from Clark College for her online "What's Your Connection? Storytelling, Social Injustice, and Qualitative Research" assignment.

2018-19:

• Patrick McEachern, Jerry Troupe, Karen Sandall, Holli Devereaux, Ben Whitmore, Rick Suhr, and Cathy Wells from the Community Colleges of Spokane, for their work in eLearning Professional Development Models that includes an annual eLearning Academy, monthly asynchronous sessions, on-demand learning, and face to face training. 

2017-2018:

• Yun Moh and team of faculty and instructional designers, Seattle Central College, for their Faculty Learning Community work on "Lightboard Studio by a Hybrid Instruction FLC"

2016-2017:

• Alisha Williams, Gordon Gul, Centralia College, for their work on Grade Outcomes Assessment Learning Strategy Canvas LTI app (1st place)

• Ann Garnsey-Harter, Shoreline Community College, for Support of Online and Hybrid Students Through Their Educational Life-Cycle (Honorable Mention)

2015-2016:

• Kendra Birnley, Elizabeth Donley, Clark College, for their work on English Discipline Specific Faculty Development, 2015-16

2014-2015:

• Brian Walsh, Peninsula College, for his work on Innovation in Prison Classrooms, 2014-15 AND

• Shalaina Joiner and team, Lower Columbia College, for their work on Advisee Distribution and Canvas Advising, 2014-15

2013-2014:

• Bruce Spitz of Shoreline Community College for his work in online Music Education. 2013-2014.

2012-2013:

• Rhonda Meyers of Lower Columbia College for her efforts and successes in flipping the classroom. 2012-13

2011-2012:

• Nicki Bly of Highline for Polysomonographic Hybrid Program 2011-12

2010-2011:

• Krissy Kim and team from Pierce for QM Research - eL Course Development and Review Practices, 2010-11 AND

• Judy Penn and the Science eLearning Community from Shoreline, 2010-11 AND

• David Lippman of Pierce for the eMath Projects Leadership, 2010-11

2009-2010:

• Jeff Ward, Highline Community College, "Faculty-In-Residence for eLearning," 2009-10 AND

• Danielle Gray, Signee Lynch, Lori Martindale, and Sherri Winans, Whatcom Community College, "WCC English Faculty Innovators," 2009-10.

2007-2008:

• Phebe Shen, Ann Harrington, Marcia Huntington, and Lolly Smith, Everett Community College, "English 101D Online," 2007-08

2006-2007:

• Karen Johnson, Walla Walla Community College, "Yoga to Go and Yoga Online," 2006-07