ALT Learning Technologist of the Year Awards now open for entries until 25 March 2019

Celebrating excellent research and practice in Learning Technology

The ALT Learning Technologist of the Year Awards celebrate and reward excellent research and practice and outstanding achievement in Learning Technology. Established in 2007, the Awards have established a benchmark for outstanding achievement in Learning Technology on a national scale and attract competitive entries from the UK and internationally. All entries are reviewed by an independent judging panel chaired by the President of ALT. 

Please note that this year we are opening the Awards submissions earlier and having an earlier closing date for entries, 25 March 2019.

About the Awards

Award categories

You can enter for the following award categories:

  1. Learning Technologist of the Year (individual)
  2. Learning Technologist of the Year (team)
  3. Learning Technology Research Project of the Year

Judging panel

The expert panel of judges is chaired by Martin Weller, President of ALT. The panel represents expertise from different sectors and countries, bringing together a wealth of experience in Learning Technology. The 2019 judging panel includes:

Learning Technologist of the Year (Team & individual)

  • Dr Peter Bryant - Associate Dean (Education) and Associate Professor of Business at the University of Sydney Business School (Australia)
  • Elizabeth Charles - Assistant Director of Library Services at Birkbeck, University of London
  • Paul Driver -  Senior Learning Technologist - Anglia Ruskin University
  • Dr Mark Glynn - Head of the Teaching Enhancement Unit - Dublin City University
  • Dr Peter Schukie, Academic Lead in Digital Innovation in Teaching and Learning, University Centre Blackburn College
  • Ros Walker, Learning Technologist, University of Stirling

Learning Technology Research Project of the Year

  • Dr Matthew Barr - Lecturer (Computer Science), University of Glasgow
  • Dr Liz Bennett - University Teach Fellow, University of Huddersfield
  • Dr Jill Buban - Chief Academic Officer at Unizin
  • Dr Michael Flavin - Head of Curriculum Innovation at King's College London

Community Choice Award

All short-listed entries will be asked to supply a short video (with subtitles, no longer than 3 minutes) and supporting information for the public vote deciding the Community Choice Award. Voting takes place online during August. If you are looking for inspiration, have a look at the entries from last year's finalists

Award Ceremony

The Awards will be presented at the Gala Dinner of the ALT Annual Conference on Wednesday 4 September 2019 in the McEwan Hall at the University of Edinburgh, UK. The judging panel usually makes the following awards: First, second and third prize as follows: 1st prize £1000; 2nd prize £500; 3rd prize £250. The Community Choice, voted for openly, will also be awarded at the Gala Dinner. Finalists (up to two for teams) are invited to attend the ALT Conference Gala Dinner to receive their Awards. Additional places are available to purchase. 

Winners of the Awards

You can find out more about the winners of the Awards from previous years here

Winner of the Awards from previous years

How to enter

The awards are free to enter and are open to individuals and teams based anywhere in the world.

Entry form

You need to complete all sections of the appropriate online entry form. Entries will be judged on the basis of the information you provide and the evidence you refer to. We acknowledge all entries via email. The closing date for entries is Monday, 25 March 2019 for all categories.

  • Entry Form A: Learning Technologist of the Year (individual or teams)
  • Entry Form B: Learning Technology Research Project of the Year

Short-list

The judging panel reviews all entries and the highest scoring entries in each category are short-listed. All entries will be notified whether they have been short-listed or not by Thursday 18 April 19. 

Interviews for short-listed entries

All short-listed entries will be invited for an interview, either in person or online. Interview dates are provisionally1/2 May 19 in Milton Keynes. Interviews will be 25 min long, and you will be asked to give a 10 min presentation followed by questions from the judging panel. 

Finalists

Following the interviews all short-listed entries will be notified and Finalists invited to the Award Ceremony. Finalists will be asked to supply a short video (under 3 minutes with subtittles) and supporting information for the public vote deciding the Community Choice Award. The public vote takes place in August. 

Judging criteria

Entries are judged (from the completed entry form, and, if short-listed, at interview) in answer to the following criteria and questions:

Learning Technologist of the Year

Learning Technology Research Project of the Year

The judging criteria are informed by the CMALT principles. We include these here for information: 

What makes your work THIS YEAR an outstanding achievement in Learning Technology? 

('this year' refers to the 12 months prior to submitting your entry)

What makes this research project THIS YEAR an outstanding achievement in Learning Technology?

('this year' refers to the 12 months prior to submitting your entry)

 
What makes your/your team's work excellent? What makes this research project excellent? A commitment to exploring and understanding the interplay between technology and learning
How did you develop and support this achievement? A clear, credible statement of what methodological approach was taken and which, if any, ethical implications were considered A commitment to keep up to date with new technologies
Strong evidence that your work has made a significant impact on practices within the your or your team's organisation, community, or sphere of influence Strong evidence that the project made a significant contribution to Learning Technology, including evidence of its impact A commitment to communicate and disseminate effective practice
Clear explanation of how others may learn from your work and what have you done to enable others to do so

Clear explanation of how others may learn from this research project and what have you done to enable others to do so

An empathy with and willingness to learn from colleagues from different backgrounds and specialism
 

 

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