The Excellence in Teaching and Learning with Technology Award is made possible through the generosity of Cengage Learning. This award is presented to one individual who demonstrates excellence in using technology to enhance post-secondary instruction in agriculture. To qualify for the award, a NACTA member must currently be on a full-time appointment involving at least 25% teaching. A committee of NACTA members reviews applications. Criteria included in the evaluation are: nominee’s essay on the integration and use of technology to support effective teaching and learning; a statement about the impact of technology integration on student learning, student motivation, and student creativity; evaluations submitted by current students, alumni, administrative officers, and peers; a self-evaluation including factors such as considerations in technology integration, course outcomes, scholarly activities and professional development specific to technology integration, challenges to technology integration, future plans for technology integration, and recognition/mentorship in technology integration. Recipients receive a plaque and $1,000.00.

Selection Criteria for your Dossier:

  1. Inclusion of the Excellence in Teaching and Learning with Technology Award Checklist at the beginning of the nominee's file.
  2. Cover letter to the Chair of the Teacher Recognition Committee, which addresses items 3 and 4 below.
  3. Evidence of an individual NACTA membership for at least two of the last three years (be sure to address this). Applicants who are not paid NACTA members by February 1st and/or have not met the membership requirement will be ineligible to receive the award and will not have their dossiers reviewed.
  4. Evidence that the nominee has been on a full-time appointment involving at least 25% teaching for at least two of the last three years is required. (A statement by an academic administrative officer will suffice.)
  5. Award recipients are expected to attend the NACTA Conference in order to received their award. There is no funding for travel associated with this award. If funding is needed for travel, applicants should inquire about travel grants offered through NACTA (usually due in February or March) or through their institutions.
  6. It is expected that the winner of this award will submit an abstract for a future NACTA Conference presentation on the innovative use of technology in their teaching.
  7. An essay by the nominee describing the integration and use of technology to support effective teaching and learning in a specific course offered on-campus or via distance education. This must not exceed five typewritten (double-spaced) pages.
  8. Statement about the impact of technology integration on student learning, student motivation, and student creativity in the classroom.
  9. Evaluation from three current/former students who are currently enrolled or have completed the technologically enhanced course.
  10. Evaluation from one academic administrative officer specifically discussing the nominee’s utilization of technology in his/her teaching.
  11. Evaluation from a peer specifically discussing the nominee’s utilization of technology in his/her teaching.
  12. Samples of course materials reflecting the integration of technology in a specific course (such as excerpts from syllabi, assignments, projects, student portfolios, links to course content, audio or video materials, etc). Limit 3 - 5 pages.
  13. Nominee's resume/vita, limited to 4-pages total.

The nominee should provide a self-evaluation on the following:

  1. Considerations in the integration of technology specific to their course,
  2. Outcomes of the technologically enhanced course as compared to other courses delivered using more traditional pedagogy,
  3. Scholarly activities and professional development specific to technology integration, 
  4. Challenges that have been encountered specific to technology integration and how they have been addressed,
  5. Future plans for technology integration efforts, 
  6. Departmental, college, and university efforts specific to technology integration, and/or mentorship of other faculty members in technology integration.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS:

Attendance at annual meeting: Nominees should recognize that NACTA and sponsors expect awardees to be present at the annual conference to receive their awards. A consent of nomination implies that the nominee has an intention and, if selected for an award, will make a reasonable attempt to attend the annual conference.  All award recipients are expected to participate/make presentations at future NACTA conferences.

A photograph and short biography of each award recipient will be included in the awards program at the annual conference. Submit a biography not to exceed 150 words in WordPerfect or Word format, along with a good picture in the form of a JPG or GIF file (the larger/better quality, the better your picture will be) and your most memorable teaching experience using the online submission system where you'll submit your award packet.

Deadline for all nomination materials is 11:59 PM on February 1st.

First impressions do count. Attention to neatness of organization, format, and presentation of dossiers makes a difference.

SUBMISSION INFORMATION: 

For each nominee, upload one single PDF file that includes all nomination materials (all documents, letters of support, teaching evaluations and other relevant documents) at the website by 11:59 PM on February 1st.

We will only accept one PDF file for each nomination, and the website will not combine your materials into one file if you upload multiple files for each nominee. Evaluations of all nominees will be conducted through the website and neither the Teacher Recognition Committee nor the evaluators will be able to put multiple files together for one nominee. 

Click here to nominate yourself or someone else for the award. If you have any problem uploading files, contact the NACTA administrative office at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

DEADLINE

Nomination materials for all awards (except Distinguished Educator and Teaching Award of Merit) must be uploaded at the website by 11:59 PM on February 1st.

QUESTIONS?

Contact the NACTA Administrative Office via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..