Educational Technology & Design

Class Descriptions: Education Technology & Design

All entries must include a statement as to the purpose, audience and description of circumstances for development and the role of each entrant.

Judging criteria 1-3: Design 15%, Content 15%, Technical quality 15%, Use of medium 15%
Marketing/promotion 10%, Evaluation 15%, Effectiveness 15%

Education Technology and Design 1 | Website. This category is designed for websites for any specified audience. Sites will be evaluated on overall ease of use, design, content delivery, appropriate use of web techniques, appeal to the intended audience and evaluation mechanisms (for determining site usefulness for audience or more formal usability studies conducted with the site). A site may be resubmitted in succeeding years if a description is included indicating how the site has changed from the previous version. In general, at least 20 percent of the site should be made up of new materials, new menus or new ways of locating information. In the supplemental information, highlight the URL of the site and additional URLs for specific pages that should not be overlooked in the judging. You also may wish to submit a screen capture of some pages from the site and information on any special scripting or programming used at the site to provide additional functionality (e.g., database lookups, interactive applications, etc.).

Education Technology and Design 2 | Instructional Design. This category recognizes the strategic use of modern technologies for educational or training purposes, whether in person or online. Entries should demonstrate effective instructional design using diverse delivery platforms such as online learning management systems (LMS), mobile learning apps, virtual classrooms, augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), or artificial intelligence (AI). Projects should promote diversity, engagement, accessibility, and assessment. Emphasis is placed on how these technologies facilitate learning, interaction, and evaluation in various educational environments. Submit a description of the educational or training program or course, outlining learning objectives, instructional design, and the target audience. Provide access to the platform (e.g., LMS, mobile app, virtual classroom), relevant materials, and a 5–10-minute video tour demonstrating how learners engage with the content and innovative technologies like AR/VR or AI. Include examples of instructional materials, assessment methods, and details on how the program promotes accessibility and supports diverse learners.

Education Technology and Design 3 | Innovative Use of Instructional Technology in Education. This category celebrates the creative application of emerging or established information and communication technologies to engage and inform audiences. Entries may include interactive media programs, innovative communication platforms, or tools delivered through cloud-based systems, mobile applications, AR/VR experiences, or AI-powered tools. Projects should showcase innovation in design, execution, and delivery, demonstrating how technology enhances user engagement and decision-making. Whether for internal or external purposes, these projects should highlight how technology effectively informs, entertains, or communicates across diverse subject matter areas. Submit a project overview, including objectives, target audience, and technologies used. Provide access to the platform or tool (e.g., mobile app, AR/VR, AI-powered tool) or include a 5–10-minute video showcasing key features like user interaction and decision points. Highlight innovative elements and explain how they enhance user engagement. Include an evaluation plan and any available metrics or feedback demonstrating the project's impact.