For additional information about the OLC Awards and Recognition programs, please email us at awards@onlinelearning-c.org.
Status: Closed
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.*
The evaluation criteria for OLC’s Awards of Excellence were developed within the overarching framework of OLC’s Dimensions of Quality, reflecting core principles of effective, equitable, scalable, and learner-centered digital education. To support clarity, consistency, and alignment across award categories, AI-assisted tools were used in the drafting process, with final criteria reviewed and approved by OLC leadership.
Description: Recognizes outstanding achievements in the thoughtful, ethical, and effective use of artificial intelligence to advance teaching, learning, and student success. Eligible initiatives may include AI-supported research, instructional practices, learner support systems, assessment strategies, institutional policies, or scalable models that reflect innovation grounded in evidence, transparency, and responsible use. The award emphasizes not only technological sophistication, but also pedagogical soundness, learner-centered design, and measurable impact.
Who can submit: Individuals, teams, or institutions whose work demonstrates how AI can meaningfully enhance educational experiences, improve learning outcomes, support educators, and promote equitable access in online, blended, and digital learning environments.
Evidence may include: design rationale, problem statements, alignment with learning goals, AI workflow diagrams
Evidence may include: assessment results, analytics, qualitative feedback, research findings, evaluation reports
Evidence may include: governance/policy documentation, privacy/security approach, bias testing/mitigation notes, accessibility considerations, integrity guidance
Evidence may include: comparisons to prior approaches, prototype artifacts, implementation examples, user stories
Evidence may include: implementation model, training plan, sustainability strategy, cost/resource considerations, adoption guidance
Evidence may include: reflective narrative, roadmap, monitoring plan, continuous improvement cycle, dissemination plans
The Award for Excellence in Digital Learning Innovation and the Award for Excellence in AI-Enabled Education recognize different—but sometimes overlapping—approaches to advancing digital learning. This decision tree is designed to help you determine which award best aligns with the primary focus of your work.
Apply for Excellence in Digital Learning Innovation if:
Examples:
Apply for Excellence in AI-Enabled Digital Education if:
Examples:
Ask yourself:
If AI were removed, would the innovation still stand on its own?
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
Evidence may include: design rationale, needs assessment, user research, alignment to outcomes, theory of change
Evidence may include: assessment results, analytics, pre/post comparisons, evaluation reports, survey results, qualitative findings
Evidence may include: comparative narrative (before/after), prototypes, design artifacts, workflow/process changes, adoption story
Evidence may include: implementation plan, training materials, change management artifacts, usage/adoption data, support documentation
Evidence may include: accessibility conformance practices, inclusive design documentation, disaggregated impact data, UDL-informed approaches
Evidence may include: sustainability plan, cost/resource model, replication guide, partnership plans, future roadmap
The Award for Excellence in Digital Learning Innovation and the Award for Excellence in AI-Enabled Education recognize different—but sometimes overlapping—approaches to advancing digital learning. This decision tree is designed to help you determine which award best aligns with the primary focus of your work.
Apply for Excellence in Digital Learning Innovation if:
Examples:
Apply for Excellence in AI-Enabled Digital Education if:
Examples:
Ask yourself:
If AI were removed, would the innovation still stand on its own?
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.
Evidence may include: service model diagrams, support workflows, intake/escalation processes, staffing model, training materials
Evidence may include: retention/persistence metrics, help-desk analytics, satisfaction surveys, LMS/usage analytics, qualitative feedback, evaluation summaries
Evidence may include: response/resolution time reports, QA rubrics, SLAs, service audits, ticketing reports, documented improvements based on trends
Evidence may include: accessibility checks, inclusive communication examples, multilingual resources, outreach plans, disaggregated usage/outcome data
Evidence may include: capacity planning, staffing forecasts, budget/resource plans, documentation repositories, governance/ownership models
Evidence may include: lessons learned, improvement roadmap, implementation playbook, evaluation reflections, future enhancement plans
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
Evidence may include: strategic plans, program vision statements, initiative charters, alignment maps, leadership communications
Evidence may include: key performance indicators, adoption trends, learner outcomes, policy changes, evaluation reports, stakeholder feedback
Evidence may include: equity initiatives, disaggregated outcomes, accessibility improvements, targeted support programs, policy/practice changes
Evidence may include: partnership MOUs, cross-unit governance structures, coalition outcomes, invited talks/recognition, dissemination artifacts
Evidence may include: professional learning programs, staffing models, governance charters, playbooks, operational frameworks
Evidence may include: retrospectives, improvement roadmaps, evaluation reflections, future strategy updates
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
Evidence may include: program overview, learner personas, market/needs analysis, program outcomes map, accreditation/program requirements alignment
Evidence may include: curriculum map, assessment plan, sample course design artifacts, learning outcome evidence, quality review results
Evidence may include: support model, success/retention data, student feedback, onboarding resources, engagement analytics
Evidence may include: governance documentation, staffing roles, operational workflows, QA cycles, policy guides, service-level practices
Evidence may include: enrollment trends, capacity plans, budget/resource model, staffing projections, sustainability strategy
Evidence may include: improvement cycles, evaluation plans, innovation examples, dissemination artifacts, playbooks/guides
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: Closed
March 2, 2026
Award Portal Opens
June 15, 2026
Award Portal Closes
November 2026
Award Winners recognized at OLC Accelerate 2026 onsite in Orlando.
OLC Innovate provides a path for innovators of all experience levels and backgrounds to share best practices, test new ideas, and collaborate on driving forward online, digital, and blended learning. Join us as we challenge our teaching and learning paradigms, reimagine the learning experience, and ideate on how disruptions in education today will shape the innovative classroom of tomorrow.