The 2009 COTY Winners are . . . .
Life Pacific College: Great Books I in the category of Independent Study.
Moody Bible Institute’s Distance Learning: Christian Worship in the category of Online course
Erskine Theological Seminary: Exploring the Missional Church in the category of Hybrid course.
One of the highlights of the Annual Conference is the Course of the Year Award. This award is co-sponsored by ACCESS and Christianity Today International. We invite any ACCESS members (institutions or individuals) who have produced a course in the last 12 months to submit an entry. Members may submit more than one course. The courses are peer-reviewed and are judged based on instructional design, media/materials development, and learner support.
This year, we added a new category: hybrid courses. They are defined as those courses that blend face-to-face classroom teaching and learning with online technologies in order to provide students with more opportunities for learning, spiritual formation through community building, and deeper insight and reflection. We understand that those judging the courses can’t be in the face-to-face gathering but there are times when video of that class is provided and the online content very closely matches what is produced in class. More and more institutions are engaged in hybrid courses and we felt this is an important part of ACCESS member work.
In addition to that new category, we also have courses that are submitted in two other categories:
- Independent Study (online or print-based courses that are characterized by students working independently at their own pace)
- Online Course (online courses characterized by groups of students working together at the same pace and interacting in discussion forums)
Some of the benefits include detailed written evaluations by peer judges. Peer-reviewed work is helpful in course development in that one is provided an objective and outside perspective. Winners also receive recognition at the Annual Conference and a plaque made possible from Christianity Today. Past winners have included acknowledgement of their awards in advertisements and institutional publications. This year, we added a new benefit of cash! It is our hope that the award money will be turned back into course development and provide an incentive to continue producing great work.
This year we had 13 entries and as you might expect, the courses were very well-done. Some of the course entries included Romans, OT Literature and Themes, Christian Worship, Marriage and Family, Understanding Cultures and Worldviews, History and Philosophy of Education.
Congratulations to this year's winners!
How does it work?
The Course-of-the-Year Awards, co-sponsored by ACCESS and Christianity Today International, are peer-reviewed assessments which award outstanding new courses developed over the past year by member organizations. Judging is based on instructional design, media/materials development, and learner support.
Who may enter?
Any ACCESS member or member institution, who has produced a course in the last 12 months may submit an entry. Members may submit more than one course. It is worth the entry fee just to get the objective evaluation of your courses.
What categories are available?
Courses may now be submitted in three categories:
• Independent Study (online or print-based courses that are characterized by students working independently at their own pace)
• Online Course (online courses characterized by groups of students working together at the same pace and interacting in discussion forums)
• Hybrid Class (courses that blend face-to-face teaching and learning with online technologies)
Please inquire if it is not clear which category best fits your course. Note that graduate credit, undergraduate credit, and non-credit courses can be entered in each category.
What are the benefits of entering?
Detailed written evaluations will be provided by the contest judges.
Winners will receive recognition at the Annual Conference and a commemorative certificate. Additionally, winners will receive a cash award. Hear one participants story about how the COTY contest helped them.
Must I attend the Conference to receive an award?
Participants are encouraged to attend the Annual Conference; however, attendance is not required to receive an award. Evaluations and awards will be mailed to participants not at the awards ceremony.
What happens to course materials submitted for review?
After review by the judges, materials are placed on display at the annual conference. Institutions may retrieve their course materials at the close of the annual conference or make arrangements to have them returned.
What is the entry fee?
There is a course assessment fee of $100 (U.S.) for each course submitted.
How do I enter a course?
Choose whichever method of entry is most convenient to you.
| Mail in payment and materials | Print the COTY Registration Form and include with check payable to "ACCESS" in shipped materials. | Mail materials and payment by Dec. 31, 2009 to: Mary Lowe, ACCESS Executive Director |
| Submit payment and materials electronically | Fill out COTY Registration online and pay with PayPal. | Email link to online materials, FTP site, or other electronic respository so evaluators can have access to course by Dec. 31, 2009 to mlowe@erskine.edu. |
| Whether submitted electonically or shipped, registration, payment and course materials must be post-marked by December 31st. | ||
Package all course materials and ship them to the above address. While it is important to include everything the judges need to evaluate the course, it is also important to be wise stewards of our resources. If at all possible please keep materials to a minimum. Items that can be copied to a DVD or CD (study guides, books, access codes, etc.) are preferred.
Questions??
If you have any questions, comments, or concerns about the ACCESS Course of the Year Contest, please contact Mary Lowe at 864.379.6669 or email mlowe@erskine.edu.
Check out this video introduction to the Course of the Year award and one ACCESS member's experience.
2004 ~ Life Pacific College - Synoptic Gospels (Independent Study)
2005 ~ Fuller Seminary - New Testament: The Gospels (Online Category)
2006 ~ Life Pacific College - Foundations for Leadership (Online Category)
2007 ~ Northwestern College - OT Archaeology (Independent Study)
2008 ~ Columbia International University - Hebrews I