Innovative online teaching goes well beyond delivering content – it sparks engagement, fosters collaboration, and creates meaningful learning opportunities. Faculty across USF are redefining online learning possibilities, using creative strategies and innovative course design to elevate student learning. To recognize these efforts, the Innovation in Online Design and Teaching Award honors faculty who demonstrate excellence in online teaching and course design. Applications for the 2025 award are now open.
Now in its third year, these awards celebrate faculty who push the boundaries of traditional teaching and course design – those who design interactive, student-centered online courses that enhance student engagement, encourage meaningful learning experiences, and promote overall student satisfaction.
The first-place recipient of the Innovation in Online Design and Teaching Award will receive $5,000, a commemorative plaque, and recognition at the USF Faculty Honors and Awards Reception. Two finalists will also receive $1,000 each.
Additionally, each institution within the Florida State University System will identify one outstanding faculty member each year to receive the SUS President’s Award; the IODT Award recipient will also receive recognition as the USF’s President’s Award winner.
Digital Learning Design, which partners with faculty to develop high-quality online courses, has witnessed firsthand how innovative teaching strategies and thoughtful course design support student success. The IODT Awards serve as an opportunity to recognize faculty redefining online learning and to inspire continued innovation.
“Faculty are constantly innovating their teaching approaches to create engaged and meaningful learning experiences, supported by intentional course design,” said Christie Nicholas, director of learning design and research at Innovative Education. “It’s incredible to see their creativity in action and the lasting impact it has on students.”
LAST YEAR’S RECIPIENTS:
- Winner: Erika Martinez, a professor of instruction in the Department of Economics won first place for her microeconomics course. Martinez’s course encouraged active participation, critical thinking, and collaborative problem-solving through high-quality digital course materials such as video lectures, interactive simulations, and real-world case studies. Get a behind-the-scenes look at last year’s winning course:
- Finalist: Lauren Braunstein, an associate professor of instruction in the Social Foundations of Education program, was recognized for her outstanding course, Education, Diversity, & Global Society. Each module of the course offered a new opportunity for students to engage, with one project allowing students to collaborate on a proposal to add a multicultural or social justice-oriented unit to the curriculum of a local school.
- Finalist: Doreen MacAulay, a professor of instruction in the School of Information Systems and Management, was awarded for her Principles of Management course, which enhanced student learning and engagement through guided meditations for focus, mind-mapping exercises for deeper conceptual connections, and generative AI to foster interactive and reflective learning.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
Nominees must be full-time continuing faculty, or instructors, on any USF campus who have taught at least one fully online course and must be certified to teach online through the USF Online Instructor Certification program. Courses must have been developed within the past five academic years and have met quality design standards. Previous award winners and visiting faculty are not eligible.
HOW TO APPLY:
Faculty must self-nominate. Applications must include a brief teaching statement, annotated artifacts of the course’s design and teaching practices (screenshots or other materials), and evidence of practices leading to strong student engagement, learning gains, and satisfaction. Supporting documents related to the Online Instructor Certification and quality reviews are also required. Full details and information about the review process can be found here. Applications must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. on Feb. 24, 2025.
For any questions, please reach out to Christie Nicholas at cwnicholas@usf.edu.