For additional information about the OLC Awards and Recognition programs, please email us at awards@onlinelearning-c.org.
Status: Open
OLC recognizes members of the community twice each year on two separate award cycles – in the spring at OLC Innovate, and in the fall at OLC Accelerate.
Fall Awards portal is now closed.
The following OLC Awards of Excellence are bestowed at OLC Accelerate in the fall of each year based on alignment with OLC Dimensions of Quality.*
Description: Demonstrated excellence in digital learning support for instructors or learners.
Who can submit: Individuals, teams, or organizations that provide exceptional support to enhance digital learning experiences, including student services professionals, instructional technologists, CTLs, IT support staff, administrators, educational consultants, and other professionals who have significantly contributed to improving the infrastructure, tools, or services that enable effective digital education – self-nomination permissible.
Description: Outstanding achievements in developing and implementing creative, impactful, and inclusive digital learning solutions.
Who can submit: Individuals or teams who leverage technology to enhance educational experiences, promote accessibility, and drive learner engagement, setting new benchmarks for innovation in the digital learning landscape.
– self-nomination permissible
Description: Evidence of outstanding transformative leadership in online, blended, and/or digital learning that advances equity
Who can submit: Educators, administrators, instructional designers, researchers, and professionals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership in the field of digital education – self-nomination permissible
Description: Effective practices in developing or expanding innovative and impactful online and digital programs, and the creation, delivery and management of digital tools, platforms, and content that enhance teaching, learning and administrative processes in educational institutions.
Who can submit: Individuals, teams, or organizations that have demonstrated outstanding achievement in designing, delivering, or managing online programs, including educators, instructional designers, program coordinators, developers, and institutions that have created innovative, impactful, and accessible online learning experiences.- self-nomination permissible
Description: Excellence in research, including scholarly research and writing, leadership and service in research, and contributions to advancing the field.
Who can submit: Internal nomination by OLC – no self or outside submission permissible
Description: Recognizing outstanding contributions to the OLC community through volunteerism that exemplifies leadership, innovation, adaptability, impact, and collaboration.
Who can submit: Internal nomination by OLC – no self or outside submission permissible
*With the exception of Karen Swan OLJ Outstanding Research Achievement in Digital Learning and OLC Outstanding Volunteer Achievement Awards which use different evaluation criteria.
We invite leaders, educators, researchers, and innovators to showcase their achievements and inspire the future of digital education. Submit your application and be recognized for your contributions to shaping the digital learning landscape!
We ask that submitters take note of the following award submission requirements:
The following criteria will be used to evaluate all OLC Awards of Excellence submissions:
OLC Dimensions of Quality
How well does this submission impact:
Dimension Description
Evidence
Submission includes evidence of excellence for this dimension
Learning Effectiveness
Learning Effectiveness is centered around creating educational experiences that are intentionally designed to support all learners in equitably meeting articulated outcomes, thereby gaining valuable competencies and skills. This involves aligning learning outcomes with the mission, values, and overall strategy of the organization to provide quality learning opportunities that prepare learners for future work and promote lifelong learning. Through the leverage of online, blended, and digital environments, Learning Effectiveness facilitates inclusive, academically rigorous experiences that prioritize learner engagement and community development among instructors, learners, designers, and leaders.
Strongly Agree
3 – Agree
2 – Disagree
1 – Strongly Disagree or N/A
Reviewer Comments:
Learner Experience
Learner Experience is centered around providing a holistic and enriching educational journey, emphasizing equitable access to support services, meaningful interactions, and alignment with personal and professional goals. This dimension ensures the education process is perceived as rigorous, valuable, and supportive, fostering a sense of belonging and achievement. A positive experience is crucial for nurturing engagement, persistence, and overall satisfaction.
Strongly Agree
3 – Agree
2 – Disagree
1 – Strongly Disagree or N/A
Reviewer Comments:
Instructor Experience
Instructor Experience focuses on creating a supportive and enriching environment for all educators, enabling them to effectively engage with learners and find personal and professional fulfillment in their teaching roles. This dimension underscores the importance of providing a comprehensive array of opportunities for professional development, involvement in decision-making processes, access to high-impact teaching resources, and recognition of instructional efforts and achievements. A positive and rewarding teaching experience is crucial for sustaining high-quality learning environments that benefit both instructors and learners.
Strongly Agree
3 – Agree
2 – Disagree
1 – Strongly Disagree or N/A
Reviewer Comments:
Scale
Scale embodies the commitment to sustain and grow academically rigorous, outcomes-aligned online, digital, and blended education for a wide array of learners. This dimension emphasizes the importance of balancing broad access with the maintenance of high educational standards. By strategically scaling offerings, organizations can enhance enrollments, retention, learner success, and career advancement, all while adhering to quality benchmarks. Effective scaling involves thoughtful planning, incremental growth, and the robust support of academic and technical infrastructure, ensuring that expansion efforts equally benefit all segments of the learner population.
Strongly Agree
3 – Agree
2 – Disagree
1 – Strongly Disagree or N/A
Reviewer Comments:
Access
Access is foundational to ensuring that all learners—especially those from marginalized or underserved communities—can engage with high-quality online and blended education. This dimension emphasizes the proactive removal of physical, sensory, cognitive, technological, and socio-economic barriers, fostering an environment where differentiated learner needs are met through universal design principles. Access also involves the active dismantling of systemic barriers that limit educational success, ensuring pathways to academic achievement are clear and comprehensive, from admission to graduation.
Strongly Agree
3 – Agree
2 – Disagree
1 – Strongly Disagree or N/A
Reviewer Comments:
Please view the page below to see a list of Award of Excellence Winners.
For additional information about the OLC Awards and Recognition programs, please email us at awards@onlinelearning-c.org.
Status: Open
March 17, 2025
Fall Awards Portal Opens
July 14, 2025
Fall Awards Portal Closes
November 2025
Fall Award Winners recognized at Accelerate 2025 onsite in Orlando.
OLC Accelerate showcases groundbreaking research and highly effective practices in online and digital learning across K-12, higher education, and corporate L&D. This event is designed to empower and support leaders, instructional designers, educators, and training professionals by offering a wide range of sessions and activities.