PURPOSE
To recognize faculty or staff members who demonstrate excellence in the development or teaching of learning activites using distance learning delivery media. These awards are intended to recognize professional accomplishment and to publicize and promote creative and innovative approaches to learning that are delivered via distance learning media.

AWARDS
Two cash awards of $1000 each are available--one each for credit-granting and noncredit-granting learning activities conducted through Purdue University (applicable taxes will be deducted). Certificates of recognition, suitable for framing, will also be presented to the recipients.

ELIGIBILITY
The award is open to faculty and staff members at all campuses within the Purdue University system. At least one of the nominees for each award must be a current faculty or staff member at Purdue. Beyond individual faculty or staff accomplishments, distance learning activities may also be nominated. In all cases, the related distance learning accomplishment or activity must have been offered or conducted within the previous two years.

In the event two or more individuals are nominated for an award as a team, the award will be divided equally among the recipients. When a distance learning activity is the awardee, the activity director will specify how the award is to be divided.

DEFINITIONS
A distance learning activity comprises an organized set of instructional objectives, content, and processes designed to be presented to learners who are separated (in space or time) from the instructor or from traditional on-campus classrooms. Examples of distance learning delivery media include, but are not limited to, videoconferencing, videotape, print-based materials, audiotape, audio conferencing, interactive satellite broadcasting, computing, and the Internet (via e-mail or the World-Wide Web). Examples of learning activities include, but are not limited to, credit courses, short courses, workshops, and seminars.

NOMINATION CRITERIA
To quality for an award for excellence in distance learning, a faculty or staff member must have developed or taught a credit or noncredit distance learning activity (or collection of activities) that clearly demonstrates each of the following:

• A well-designed approach to instruction, including elements such as needs assessment, learner analyses, instructional strategies, evidence of timely content, and appropriate use of technology.
• Innovative methods for improved student learning.
• Positive impact on the clientele served, as reflected by program evaluations (both formative and summative).

APPLICATION
To submit an application for this award:

• Complete the Award Application, which includes a 500-word (maximum) description of the distance learning activity. Applicants may include selected supporting materials (e.g., samples of promotional materials, learning activities, and instructional materials; summaries of quantitative learner evaluations; etc.) as necessary. However, as the judges will have limited time to peruse lengthy materials, applicants are encouraged to make their most persuasive case in their 500-word description.
• Submit the application on-line or send five (5) hard copies to:

Award for Excellence in Distance Learning
Office of Instructional Excellence and Lifelong Learning (OIELL)
1586 Stewart Center
West Lafayette, IN 47907-1586

DEADLINE
Applications must be received no later than: Friday, February 1, 2002