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What this award category is about

This award seeks to recognise where excellence in the application of learning technologies across the board has met organisational needs and led to a lasting, measurable and positive impact.

The project may consist of a single intervention or a broader implementation of learning technologies.

What the judges will be looking for

• The project has been aligned to a clearly identified performance need.
• The project has made appropriate use of technology from the options available.
• There is demonstrable evidence of a successful implementation strategy, including alignment with organisational goals, engagement with key stakeholders, marketing, support and evaluation.
• The overall learning strategy has been effective.
• The project has made an impact in terms of individual and organisational performance.
• The project displays innovation or originality that has been applied to positive effect.

The project represents the best possible solution given the constraints and issues encountered.

What you need to know

The judging panel will score submissions according to how well they fulfil the specific criteria listed above.
It may be strongly beneficial if the judging panel can see your submission in action.
You must back up any claims about impact that you make in your submission with supporting evidence and quantitative and qualitative data. Comments from individual learners and stakeholders will carry less weight than broader surveys or quantitative data. 

Presentations to the judging panel are required for all shortlisted entries in this category.

What this award category is about

This award seeks to recognise where excellence in the application of learning technologies across the board has met organisational needs and led to a lasting, measurable and positive impact.
The project may consist of a single intervention or a broader implementation of learning technologies.

What the judges will be looking for

• The project has been aligned to a clearly identified performance need.

• The project has made appropriate use of technology from the options available.

• There is demonstrable evidence of a successful implementation strategy, including alignment with organisational goals, engagement with key stakeholders, marketing, support and evaluation.

• The overall learning strategy has been effective.

• The project has made an impact in terms of individual and organisational performance.

• The project displays innovation or originality that has been applied to positive effect.

The project represents the best possible solution given the constraints and issues encountered.

What you need to know

The judging panel will score submissions according to how well they fulfil the specific criteria listed above.
It may be strongly beneficial if the judging panel can see your submission in action.
You must back up any claims about impact that you make in your submission with supporting evidence and quantitative and qualitative data. Comments from individual learners and stakeholders will carry less weight than broader surveys or quantitative data. 

Presentations to the judging panel are required for all shortlisted entries in this category.

What this award category is about

This award recognises excellence in the way every aspect of the design of content that enables effective learning. The focus of the award is how well the learning content embodies the principles of evidence-based learning design and cognitive science, and the ways in which the design facilitates learning to meet a defined performance need

What the judges will be looking for

• The design has been aligned to a clearly identified performance need.
• Text, images, animation, audio, video and other media elements have been used in a way that encourages and reinforces learning.
• Interactivity has been used in a way that encourages and reinforces learning.
• The design displays innovation or originality that has been applied to positive effect.
• The design represents the best possible solution given the constraints and issues encountered.
• The reaction of learners and other key stakeholders to the design has been positive.

What you need to know

The judging panel will score submissions according to how well they fulfil the specific criteria listed above.
It may be strongly beneficial if the judging panel can see your submission in action.
You must back up any claims about the learner and other key stakeholder reactions with appropriate quantitative and qualitative data.

Presentations to the judging panel are required for all shortlisted entries in this category.

What this award category is about

This award recognises excellence in the way every aspect of the design of content enables effective learning. The focus of the award is how well the learning content embodies the principles of evidence-based learning design and cognitive science, and the ways in which the design facilitates learning to meet a defined performance need.

What the judges will be looking for

• The design has been aligned to a clearly identified performance need.
• Text, images, animation, audio, video and other media elements have been used in a way that encourages and reinforces learning.
• Interactivity has been used in a way that encourages and reinforces learning.
• The design displays innovation or originality that has been applied to positive effect.
• The design represents the best possible solution given the constraints and issues encountered.
• The reaction of learners and other key stakeholders to the design has been positive.

What you need to know

The judging panel will score submissions according to how well they fulfil the specific criteria listed above.

It may be strongly beneficial if the judging panel can see your submission in action.

You must back up any claims about learner and other key stakeholder reaction with appropriate quantitative and qualitative data.

Presentations to the judging panel are required for all shortlisted entries in this category.

What this award category is about

This award seeks to recognise excellence in the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to transform learning. Credit will be given for clear and inspiring accounts of how AI tools, methods, or approaches have been adopted to help organisations improve performance, deliver efficiencies, or overcome challenges in ways commonly considered difficult or unachievable by other means.

What the judges will be looking for

• There was a clear rationale for the adoption of AI to meet a defined and measurable business or performance need.
• The application of specific AI tools, methods or approaches to learning displays innovation or originality that has been applied to positive effect.
• The specific AI tools, methods or approaches applied have enabled the organisation to achieve aims or objectives that would otherwise not be realistically achievable.

The use of specific AI tools, methods or approaches for learning has delivered the desired impact and/or return on investment, particularly in comparison to any alternatives considered.

What you need to know

The judging panel will score submissions according to how well they fulfil the specific criteria listed above.

It may be strongly beneficial if the judging panel can see your submission in action.

You must back up any claims about impact that you make in your submission with supporting evidence and qualitative and quantitative data. Comments from individual learners and stakeholders will carry less weight than broader surveys or quantitative data.

Presentations to the judging panel are required for all shortlisted entries in this category.

What this award category is about

The usefulness of social and collaborative technologies to increase the reach and power of informal learning has proved very successful in many organisations. This award seeks to reward excellence in organisations’ application of social and collaborative technologies in enhancing learning opportunities and meeting performance and organisational needs.

What the judges will be looking for

• There was a clear rationale for the use of social and collaborative technologies to meet the requirement.
• Social and collaborative technologies have been appropriately chosen to support the requirement.
• The use of social and collaborative technologies was effectively enabled and supported.
• The target group has participated significantly in the use of social collaborative technologies.
• The use of social and collaborative technologies has made an impact in terms of individual and organisational performance. 

What you need to know

The judging panel will score submissions according to how well they fulfil the specific criteria listed above.

It may be strongly beneficial if the judging panel can see your submission in action. 

You must back up any claims about impact that you make in your submission with supporting evidence and qualitative and quantitative data. Comments from individual learners and stakeholders will carry less weight than broader surveys or quantitative data. 

Presentations to the judging panel are required for all shortlisted entries in this category.

What this award category is about

One of the most popular uses of learning technologies is to provide an onboarding programme that introduces new employees to an organisation and their role within it. This award is aimed at onboarding programmes that use learning technologies to speed up and smooth employees’ induction to help them become integrated in the organisation and effective in their new role.

What the judges will be looking for

• The programme has a clearly defined set of goals that are integrated with post-onboarding performance requirements.
• Text, images, animation, audio, video and other media elements have been used in a way that reflects organisational culture and values.
• The employee’s onboarding experience has been appropriately personalised.
• The programme displays innovation or originality that has been applied to positive effect.
• The programme has been well received by new employees.

The programme has had a measurable impact on speed to competence and new staff retention rates.

What you need to know

The judging panel will score submissions according to how well they fulfil the specific criteria listed above.

It may be strongly beneficial if the judging panel can see your submission in action.

You must back up any claims about impact that you make in your submission with supporting evidence and qualitative and quantitative data. Comments from individual learners and stakeholders will carry less weight than broader surveys or quantitative data.

Presentations to the judging panel are required for all shortlisted entries in this category.

What this award category is about

As we have seen repeatedly over the past few decades, innovative products have the potential to revolutionise the way learning is designed, delivered, supported, enhanced or managed. This award seeks to recognise such products.

What the judges will be looking for

• The product enhances the way that learning can be designed, delivered, supported, enhanced or managed.
• The product has brought benefits to end users.
• The product differs from its predecessors and/or competitors.

What you need to know

The judging panel will score submissions according to how well they fulfil the specific criteria listed above.

Note that this category is designed to recognise learning products themselves and not specific learning interventions that might have made use of them. Products that have already delivered benefits to their users will have a greater chance of success than those that are in development or only just launched.

It may be strongly beneficial if the judging panel can see your submission in action.

You must back up any claims about impact that you make in your submission with supporting evidence and quantitative and qualitative data. Comments from individual users will carry less weight than broader surveys or quantitative data. Comments from leading commentators in the field will also carry some weight.

Presentations to the judging panel are required for all shortlisted entries in this category.

What this award category is about

This award seeks to recognise technology-based games that play a key role in the support of specific learning aims. We will recognise innovative uses of these techniques, as well as the extent to which they lead to greater engagement, enjoyment and motivation, and provide a more effective learning experience than more traditional approaches.

What the judges will be looking for

• There was a clear rationale for the use of a game approach to meet the requirement.
• The use of games has been effectively aligned with learning objectives and outcomes.
• The game displays innovation or originality that has been applied to positive effect.
• The game has successfully contributed to learning.
• The game has contributed to learner engagement, enjoyment and motivation.
• The game has delivered value for money, particularly in comparison with alternative methods.

The game has made an impact in terms of individual and organisational performance.

What you need to know

The judging panel will score submissions according to how well they fulfil the specific criteria listed above.

It may be strongly beneficial if the judging panel can see your submission in action. 

You must back up any claims about impact that you make in your submission with supporting evidence and qualitative and quantitative data. Comments from individual learners and stakeholders will carry less weight than broader surveys or quantitative data. 

Presentations to the judging panel are required for all shortlisted entries in this category.

What this award category is about

This award seeks to recognise simulations and virtual environments that play a key role in the support of specific learning aims. We will recognise innovative uses of these techniques, as well as the extent to which they lead to greater engagement, enjoyment and motivation, and provide a more effective learning experience than more traditional approaches.

What the judges will be looking for

• There was a clear rationale for the use of a simulation or virtual environment as an approach to meet the requirement.
• The use of simulations or virtual environments has been effectively aligned with learning objectives and outcomes.
• The simulation or virtual environment displays innovation or originality that has been applied to positive effect.
• Simulations or virtual environments have successfully contributed to learning.
• Simulations or virtual environments have contributed to learner engagement, enjoyment and motivation.
• Simulations or virtual environments have delivered value for money, particularly in comparison with alternative methods.
• The simulation or virtual environment has made an impact in terms of individual and organisational performance.

What you need to know

The judging panel will score submissions according to how well they fulfil the specific criteria listed above.

It may be strongly beneficial if the judging panel can see your submission in action.

You must back up any claims about impact that you make in your submission with supporting evidence and qualitative and quantitative data. Comments from individual learners and stakeholders will carry less weight than broader surveys or quantitative data.

Presentations to the judging panel are required for all shortlisted entries in this category.

What this award category is about

Distance learning courses have been enhanced considerably by the use of the internet as a means for accessing content, assessment, communication and collaboration. The majority of distance learning courses now include a considerable online component, sometimes blended with face-to-face, print and other media.
This award seeks to recognise those distance learning programmes which have made excellent use of online media and tools to facilitate learning. The award is particularly focused on those programmes that employ a range of methods and media over many weeks or months of part-time study, typically leading to a formal qualification.

What the judges will be looking for

• A sound case has been made for the use of online distance learning to meet the requirement.
• Appropriate choices have been made with regard to online tools, techniques and media.
• The content of the programme has been aligned to a clearly identified learning need.
• The programme displays innovation or originality that has been applied to positive effect.
• Learners have been supported effectively, either by tutors or facilitators, or by other specified means.
• Collaboration between learners has been effectively encouraged and facilitated.
• The use of online tools and techniques has achieved the required results in terms of learner satisfaction, take-up and pass rates.

What you need to know

The judging panel will score submissions according to how well they fulfil the specific criteria listed above.

The submission must show online tools and techniques have improved the distance learning programme in question or effectively replaced other methods and media. Reasons may be financial, logistical, practical or related to enhancing the learning experience.

It may be strongly beneficial if the judging panel can see your submission in action.

You must back up any claims about impact that you make in your submission with supporting evidence and qualitative and quantitative data. Comments from individual learners and stakeholders will carry less weight than broader surveys or quantitative data.

Presentations to the judging panel are required for all shortlisted entries in this category.

What this award category is about

Learning technologies are often only part of a bigger, blended learning programme of activity designed to bring about change. This award seeks to find examples of outstanding blended learning, in which learning technologies and other strategies and media have been applied to complement each other to achieve an overall organisational goal.

What the judges will be looking for

• There is a clear rationale for the mix of other methods with online media within the solution.
• The solution is appropriate to the learning requirements, audience characteristics and practical constraints.
• Effective educational/training methods have been chosen for each phase in the solution.
• The most efficient and flexible learning media (e.g. face-to-face, online, etc.) have been chosen to deliver these methods without compromising their effectiveness.
• The solution includes the elements necessary to ensure effective transfer of learning.
• The solution has proved both effective and efficient in practice.

What you need to know

The judging panel will score submissions according to how well they fulfil the specific criteria listed above.

It may be strongly beneficial if the judging panel can see your submission in action.

You must back up any claims about impact that you make in your submission with supporting evidence and qualitative and quantitative data. Comments from individual learners and stakeholders will carry less weight than broader surveys or quantitative data.

Presentations to the judging panel are required for all shortlisted entries in this category.

What this award category is about

Learning technologies are often only part of a bigger, blended learning programme of activity designed to bring about change. This award seeks to find examples of outstanding blended learning, in which learning technologies and other strategies and media have been applied to complement each other to achieve an overall organisational goal.

What the judges will be looking for

• There is a clear rationale for the mix of other methods with online media within the solution.
• The solution is appropriate to the learning requirements, audience characteristics and practical constraints.
• Effective educational/training methods have been chosen for each phase in the solution.
• The most efficient and flexible learning media (e.g. face-to-face, online, etc.) have been chosen to deliver these methods without compromising their effectiveness.
• The solution includes the elements necessary to ensure effective transfer of learning.

The solution has proved both effective and efficient in practice.

What you need to know

The judging panel will score submissions according to how well they fulfil the specific criteria listed above.

It may be strongly beneficial if the judging panel can see your submission in action.

You must back up any claims about impact that you make in your submission with supporting evidence and qualitative and quantitative data. Comments from individual learners and stakeholders will carry less weight than broader surveys or quantitative data.

Presentations to the judging panel are required for all shortlisted entries in this category.

What this award category is about

A learning platform has the potential to have a huge positive impact within an organisation. This award seeks to recognise that impact in terms of contribution to organisational success, use of new technologies, impact on learners and return on investment.
The learning platform will consist of a single implementation or cloud solution for a specific organisation. The term ‘learning platform’ can also be interpreted widely to include all forms of systems that manage the learning processes of an organisation, for example LCMSs and other software systems that help organise and support learning.

What the judges will be looking for

• The learning platform has contributed to the overall success of the organisation including alignment with organisational goals.
• The learning platform has produced an effective return on investment.
• The learning platform has made effective use of the most appropriate technologies.
• The learning platform has enhanced opportunities for learning, for example through personalisation, increasing speed to deployment of learning materials, improved quality, increasing access to materials or other learners, or building communities of practice.
• The learning platform has been implemented successfully, evidenced by both quantitative and qualitative data.

What you need to know

The judging panel will score submissions according to how well they fulfil the specific criteria listed above.

The submission must include a summary of the client’s initial requirements. Supporting evidence from the client and the supplier will be required.

It may be strongly beneficial if the judging panel can see your submission in action.

You must back up any claims about impact that you make in your submission with supporting evidence and qualitative and quantitative data. Comments from individual learners and stakeholders will carry less weight than broader surveys or quantitative data.

Presentations to the judging panel are required for all shortlisted entries in this category.

What this award category is about

Many organisations are increasingly looking towards the emerging role of data analytics to provide valuable insights into the impact of their learning programmes on both learner and business performance, and to inform important business decisions.

The judges will look for analytics that go beyond the traditional learning consumption data (i.e. ‘completions'), and will want to see how a digital learning programme, campaign or experience has delivered measurable change.

What the judges will be looking for

• The learning data analytics project was aligned to a clearly defined, appropriate and measurable standard or framework.
• The learning data analytics project was conducted using meaningful data, such as that derived from a learning experience, campaign or programme, and/or performance and impact data captured elsewhere.
• The learning data analytics project produced actionable insights that helped inform key business decisions.
• Decisions and actions taken as a result of the analytics project have has a positive impact on individual and/or business performance.

What you need to know

The judging panel will score submissions according to how well they fulfil the specific criteria listed above.

It may be strongly beneficial if the judging panel can see your submission in action.

You must back up any claims about impact that you make in your submission with supporting evidence and qualitative and quantitative data. Comments from individual learners and stakeholders will carry less weight than broader surveys or quantitative data.

Presentations to the judging panel are required for all shortlisted entries in this category.

What this award category is about

Many organisations are undertaking fundamental transformations of their learning programmes to embrace the benefits of embedding digital learning technologies into their ways of working, their methodologies and the structures at the heart of their business strategy.

‘Digital learning transformation’ here means much more than simply ‘going online’, and judges will what to know how meaningful transformation has been planned, implemented and supported, and what its impact has been on the business.

What the judges will be looking for

• The need for the digital learning transformation programme was clearly identified, defined and agreed with leaders and other stakeholders.
• The digital learning transformation programme was designed to deliver effective and lasting improvement.
• The digital learning transformation programme made appropriate use of available tools and technologies.
• There is demonstrable evidence of a successful implementation strategy, including alignment with organisational goals, engagement with key stakeholders and ongoing evaluation.
• Learners were supported effectively throughout the transformation programme.
• The project is having an impact in terms of business continuity and individual and organisational performance.

What you need to know

The judging panel will score submissions according to how well they fulfil the specific criteria listed above.

It may be strongly beneficial if the judging panel can see your submission in action.

You must back up any claims about impact that you make in your submission with supporting evidence and qualitative and quantitative data. Comments from individual learners and stakeholders will carry less weight than broader surveys or quantitative data.

Presentations to the judging panel are required for all shortlisted entries in this category.

What this award category is about

This award recognises teams who have achieved a positive change within their organisation using learning technologies as a performance development tool.

The team may have implemented a new programme or used many different ways to ensure that the adoption and take up of new tools has made a demonstrative and highly effective impact on the organisation and how it performs against its objectives.  The team may have produced a new technique that saves time and money in achieving performance change using learning technologies.

What the judges will be looking for

• The work of the team addressed clearly identified learning, performance or organisational needs.
• The team applied effective and efficient ways of working that were collaborative and mutually supportive.
• Each team member performed an essential role that demonstrably contributed to the success of the whole team's efforts.
• The team made a demonstrable and highly effective impact in delivering organisational objectives.

What you need to know

The judging panel will score submissions according to how well they fulfil the specific criteria listed above.

It may be strongly beneficial if the judging panel can see your submission in action.

You must back up any claims about impact that you make in your submission with supporting evidence and qualitative and quantitative data. Comments from individual learners and stakeholders will carry less weight than broader surveys or quantitative data.

Presentations to the judging panel are required for all shortlisted entries in this category.

What this award category is about

To win this award, organisations must demonstrate a positive contribution to their service or product offering backed up by solid customer service, account and project management. They must also show that they have made positive steps in exceeding customer expectations and that these are backed up by testimonials and other supporting evidence.

What the judges will be looking for

• The organisation has achieved exceptional and demonstrable results for its customers as a direct result of the learning it has developed.
• The organisation has demonstrated solid customer service, account management and project management.
• The work of the organisation has benefitted the wider learning community.

What you need to know

The judging panel will score submissions according to how well they fulfil the specific criteria listed above.

It may be strongly beneficial if the judging panel can see your submission in action.

You must back up any claims about impact that you make in your submission with supporting evidence and qualitative and quantitative data. Comments from individual learners and stakeholders will carry less weight than broader surveys or quantitative data.

Presentations to the judging panel are required for all shortlisted entries in this category.

What this award category is about

This is an individual award that recognises the contribution that learning designers make to the success of learning technologies projects. Learning designers are taken to mean those who work with subject matter experts to specify and write learning materials subsequently realised by learning developers and graphic artists. The award is assessed based on consistent high quality and effective learning design over at least four years.

What the judges will be looking for

• The learning designer demonstrates an understanding of the learning and performance needs of users.
• The learning designer specifies the most appropriate learning interventions within set constraints.
• The learning designer specifies designs that are fit for purpose.
• The learning designer uses consummate writing skills to write materials of the utmost clarity.
• The learning designer shows originality and innovation where this matches the requirement.
• The learning designer has demonstrated consummate communication skills with external clients, with internal project teams.

• The learning designer has specified consistent high quality and effective learning designs over at least four years.

What you need to know

The judging panel will score submissions according to how well they fulfil the specific criteria listed above.

Evidence for the submissions will normally be based on a portfolio of projects.  This should be backed up by testimonial and other supporting evidence from users and other stakeholders.

It may be strongly beneficial if the judging panel can see your elements of the portfolio in action.

Presentations to the judging panel are required for all shortlisted entries in this category.

What this award category is about

This is an individual award that recognises the contribution that developers make to the success of learning technologies projects. Developers are taken to mean anyone involved in realising designs specified at the learning design stage, and thus may include software developers, graphic artists or video developers.  The award is assessed based on consistent high quality and effective development work over at least four years.

What the judges will be looking for

• The learning developer demonstrates a quick and detailed understanding of the requirements of the brief.
• The learning developer produces the most appropriate learning media or software solutions within set constraints.
• The learning developer shows originality and inventiveness where this matches the requirement.
• The learning developer is proactive in seeking out and adopting innovative tools and techniques.
• The learning developer has demonstrated consummate communication skills with external clients and/or internal project teams.
• The learning developer is exemplary in their responsiveness and adaptability, for example by proactively seeking solutions and making suggestions to the learning designer about approaches that are more efficient to build whilst not sacrificing usability.
• The learning developer has produced consistent high quality and effective media or software solutions over a number of years.

What you need to know

The judging panel will score submissions according to how well they fulfil the specific criteria listed above.

Evidence for the submissions will normally be based on a portfolio of projects.  This should be backed up by testimonial and other supporting evidence from users and other stakeholders.

It may be strongly beneficial if the judging panel can see your elements of the portfolio in action.

Presentations to the judging panel are required for all shortlisted entries in this category.