For additional information about the OLC Awards and Recognition programs, please email us at awards@onlinelearning-c.org.
The following criteria will be used to evaluate all OLC Awards of Excellence submissions*
*With the exception of the OLC Fellows and Karen Swan OLJ Outstanding Research Achievement Award in Online Education that uses its own evaluation criteria
Applications will be reviewed on the following two criteria as well as the six criteria in Phase II. A minimum score of 6 for Phase 1 criteria must be met.
Basic Criteria
Basic Criteria Description
Submission Meets Basic Criteria for Review
Meets Award Description Criteria
– Alignment to correct area of excellence
– Addresses award description completely with submission
4 – Strongly Agree
3 – Agree
2 – Disagree
1 – Strongly Disagree or N/A
Reviewer Comments:
Provides a Quality Overall Submission
– Design
– No Formatting Errors
– Complete Submission (Evidence, Total # of Recommendation Letters)
4 – Strongly Agree
3 – Agree
2 – Disagree
1 – Strongly Disagree or N/A
Reviewer Comments:
Applications will be reviewed across the OLC Dimensions of Quality as well as for the submission’s contributions to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Dimensions of Quality
How well does this submission impact:
Dimension Definition
Evidence
Submission includes evidence of excellence for this pillar.
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.
4 – 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, culturally inclusive, valuable, and supportive, fostering a sense of belonging and achievement. A positive experience is crucial for nurturing engagement, persistence, and overall satisfaction.
4 – 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.
4 – 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.
4 – Strongly Agree
3 – Agree
2 – Disagree
1 – Strongly Disagree or N/A
Reviewer Comments:
Acess
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.
4 – Strongly Agree
3 – Agree
2 – Disagree
1 – Strongly Disagree or N/A
Reviewer Comments:
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion reflects the impact of the strategies, initiatives, and support that ensure access to a quality online, blended, and digital learning experience for all learners. Through research, practice, continuous improvement, and organizational leadership, this area of excellence focuses on the advancement of equitable and inclusive actions across internal organizations and external community actions.
4 – Strongly Agree
3 – Agree
2 – Disagree
1 – Strongly Disagree or N/A
Reviewer Comments:
For additional information about the OLC Awards and Recognition programs, please email us at awards@onlinelearning-c.org.
April 1-3, 2025
Spring Awards Winners recognized during Innovate 2025.
March 17, 2025
Fall Awards Portal Opens
June 30, 2025
Fall Awards Portal Closes
November 2025
Fall Award Winners recognized at Accelerate 2025 onsite in Orlando.
OLC Innovate, a joint conference presented by OLC and MERLOT, 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.
Online Learning Consortium
6 Liberty Square #2309
Boston, MA 02109
617.716.1414