AECT Award Nomination

Nomination Guidelines
 
 
SELF-NOMINATIONS ARE ALLOWED.

Purpose:
The AECT Distinguished Service Award is the highest given by AECT and honors contributions and accomplishments impacting the field of educational communications and technology (ECT) and related fields. The award recognizes exemplars from innovation, creative development, outstanding leadership, scholarly works, and professional practice at career milestones or during a lifetime of achievement including activity in AECT as well as other organizations and communities.

Eligibility:

• There is not a specific requirement for the timing, nature or variety of service. 
• The award can honor specific accomplishments or a career of broad achievement.
• The nominee need not be a member of AECT.
• The award may be given more than once to the same person with approval of the AECT Executive Committee.
• Nominee may not be serving as a current member of the AECT Board of Directors or the Awards Committee.

Review Criteria:

• Evidence of exemplary achievement, contributions, and impact on any aspect of the field.
• Quality of support from additional references for the nomination.

Selection:
Nominations are coordinated, reviewed and recipients approved initially by the AECT Awards Committee. An award review sub-committee led by a member of the AECT Awards Committee and comprised of award committee members and non-members including a previous award recipient reports selections to the Chair for consideration by the full Awards Committee which forwards final recommendations to the AECT Executive Committee for confirmation.  
This honor is limited to two recipients per year.

Nomination Procedures:
To submit a nomination, click here to access the online nomination form.   Before entering and submitting, review  the form and then have all information prepared in advance.  Include any additional documentation as directed.  If a procedural or technical issue arises contact AECT headquarters or the award contact listed below for alternative submission options.  Include comments from one or more references.  Required contact information for references includes name and email address along with additional requested information.    Once submitted, an email will be sent to each reference requesting comments via a link in the message.

Nature of Award: Plaque

Presentation: Awards Ceremony during a General Session at the AECT annual convention.

Funding and Support: AECT

Nominations due by: April 30, 2026

Award Management on behalf of AECT: AECT Awards Committee

Contact: Rob Branch, AECT Awards Committee Chair

https://aect.connectedcommunity.org/aect/aectawardsp/distinguished-service

Nomination Guidelines
 
 
SELF-NOMINATIONS ARE ALLOWED.

Purpose:
AECT's Special Service Award is the association’s second highest award and honors individuals who have provided singular/signature service to AECT as a whole, or to one of its programs, divisions or other association activity. Previous awardees have provided extraordinary service by revamping various functions of AECT; advocating and creating new initiatives; taking existing programs to a new level; serving a vital leadership role at a major juncture in the association’s history, etc.

Eligibility:
•  Nominee must be a current member of AECT.
•  Recipient may not currently be a member of the Board of Directors or the Awards Committee.
•  Service can be to a division, committee, activity, program or initiative of AECT.  However, it is not intended for service to a specific affiliated organization, although it may relate to AECT’s general mission involving affiliate relations.

Review Criteria:
The impact and quality of the service as evidenced by supporting comments and documentation.
There is not a specific requirement for the timing, length or nature of the noted service.

Selection:
Nominations are coordinated, reviewed and recipients selected initially by the AECT Awards Committee which forwards names of award recipients to the AECT Executive Committee for confirmation.   An award review sub-committee led by a member of the AECT Awards Committee and comprised of award committee members and non-members including a previous award recipient forwards recommendations to the Chair.  No more than five awards are presented in a year.

Nomination Procedures:
To prepare a nomination, click the online nomination form link displayed below. Before entering and submitting, review the form and then have all information prepared in advance. Include any additional materials as directed.  If a procedural or technical issue arises contact AECT headquarters or the award contact listed below for alternative submission options.  Comments from at least one and up   three references is requested. Required contact information for the references includes name and email address along with additional information requested.  Once submitted, an email will be sent to each reference  requesting comments via a link in the message.  

Nature of Award: Plaque

Presentation: Awards Ceremony during a General Session at the AECT annual convention.

Funding and Support: AECT

Nominations due by: April 30, 2026

Award Management on behalf of AECT: AECT Awards Committee

Contact: AECT Awards Committee

https://aect.connectedcommunity.org/aect/aectawardsp/special-service

Nomination Guidelines

SELF-NOMINATIONS ARE ALLOWED.

Purpose:
AECT's Annual Achievement Award is presented to an individual or group whose efforts resulted in a significant contribution to the advancement of educational communications and technology. The achievement is defined as high profile usually connected to a public event or announcement. It can be an enhanced or new program or service, a creative or large-scale application of educational technology, a significant publication or production, major changes in planning and practice, and other accomplishments that have occurred usually no more than two years in advance of the award presentation at annual convention.

Eligibility:
• Nominee may be an individual or a group.  If an individual within a group, the role of the nominee should be specified.  
• The nominee(s) need not be a member of AECT.
• Nominee cannot be a current AECT Board Member or AECT Awards Committee member.
• Achievement  should be recent or within two years of the presentation.  
• Award may be given to the same individual or group more than once.

 

Nature of Award: Plaque

Presentation: Awards ceremony during General Session at the AECT annual convention

Funding and Support: AECT

Nominations due by: April 30, 2026

Award Management on behalf of AECT: AECT Awards Committee

Contact: AECT Awards Committee, aect@aect.org

https://aect.connectedcommunity.org/aect/aectawardsp/achievement

Nomination Guidelines
 
 
SELF-NOMINATIONS ARE ALLOWED.

Purpose:
The award recognizes members who have provided exemplary long-term service and leadership to AECT above and beyond expectations. The award was created to honor AECT Past President J. Michael Spector in recognition of his extraordinary commitment, leadership and service to the organization.

Eligibility:

• AECT member for at least 10 years.
• Actively involved in various activities and leadership roles in AECT.
• Previous honors and recognition within the organization.
• Cannot be a current member of the AECT Board of Directors or the AECT Awards Committee.

Review Criteria:
Recipients of this award demonstrate exemplary service and sustained active participation in AECT activities   including initiatives and contributions originated by the nominee.  Candidates likely will have received other service awards for earlier efforts.  

Selection:
Nominations are coordinated, reviewed and recipients selected initially by the AECT Awards Committee which forwards names of award recipients to the AECT Executive Committee for confirmation.  An award review sub-committee led by a member of the AECT Awards Committee and comprised of award committee members and non-members including a previous award recipient forwards recommendations to the Chair.  No more than 2 awards are given annually.

Nomination Procedures:
To submit a nomination, click the online nomination form displayed below. Before entering and submitting, review the form and then have all information prepared in advance. Include any additional materials as directed   Comments from at least one and up to a preferred three references is requested.  Required contact information for the references includes name and email address along with additional information. Once submitted, an email will be sent to each reference requesting comments via a link in the message.  

Nature of Award: Plaque

Presentation: Awards Ceremony during a General Session at the AECT annual convention.

Funding and Support: AECT

Nominations due by: April 30, 2026

Award Management on behalf of AECT: AECT Awards Committee

Contact: AECT Awards Committee, aect@aect.org

https://aect.connectedcommunity.org/aect/aectawardsp/appreciation-award

Nomination Guidelines
 
 
SELF-NOMINATIONS ARE ALLOWED.

Purpose:
This AECT award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated a long-term record of excellence in research in instructional design and technology. The award was established to remember the significant scholarly contributions made to the ECT field by Dr. David H. Jonassen.

Eligibility:

• Significant scholarly activity.
• Need not be a member of AECT.
• Cannot be a member of the AECT Board of Directors or the AECT Awards Committee.

Review Criteria:
Quality of research activity and trajectory and the impact of the research on the field.
Supporting comments and evidence from additional references and contributors to the nomination.

Selection:
Nominations are coordinated, reviewed and recipients selected by the AECT Awards Committee which forwards names of award recipients to the AECT Executive Committee.  An award review sub-committee led by a member of the AECT Awards Committee and comprised of award committee members and non-members including a previous award recipient forwards recommendations to the Chair. No more than 3 awards are given annually.

Nomination Procedures:
To submit a nomination, online nomination form displayed. Before entering and submitting, review form and then have all information prepared in advance. Include any additional materials as directed. The nomination's supporting comments should address the purpose of the award. If a procedural or technical issue arises contact AECT headquarters or the award contact listed below for alternative submission options. Comments from up to a preferred three references is requested. Required contact information for the references includes name and email address along with additional requested information. Once submitted, an email will be sent to each reference requesting comments via a link in the message.

Nature of Award: Plaque

Nature of Award: The recipient receives a cash award of $100 and a plaque.

Presentation: General Session at the AECT Annual Convention

Funding and Support: AECT 

Nominations due by: April 30, 2026

Award Management on behalf of AECT: Executive Committee

Contact: AECT, aect@aect.org

https://aect.connectedcommunity.org/aect/aectawardsp/research-award

Nomination Guidelines
 
 
SELF-NOMINATIONS ARE ALLOWED.

Purpose:
This award honors James W. Brown, past president of AECT, who established the award to recognize the author(s) of an outstanding publication in the field of educational technology. Nominated books may be designed for educators, trainers, designers and developers in a variety of settings including schools and universities, business and industry, online learning, media and technology administration, production centers and others.

Background:
Brown (1913-1987) was born in Hanford, Washington. He taught junior high school while studying for a Bachelor's degree from Central Washington State College and obtained his Master's and PhD degrees from the University of Chicago. After serving in the Navy during World War II, he was involved in the development of the first statewide plan for audiovisual services through the Virginia State Department of Education. He then spent a year on the faculty at Syracuse University and later moved to Seattle, Washington, to supervise the University Film Center at the University of Washington. From 1953 to 1974 James Brown was affiliated with San Jose State University, first as an associate professor of education then later as Dean of Graduate Studies and Research. His many professional activities included two terms as President of AECT and serving many years on the ECT Foundation's Board of Directors. Dr. Brown was a prolific writer, his best known books have become standard textbooks, many of which he co-authored with fellow educators. In addition to editing the Educational Media Yearbook from 1973 to 1984, he produced 27 books, travel filmstrips, and two travel books about England and Ireland. In 1981, he gave the funds to establish the James W. Brown Publication Award.

Eligibility:
Nominations are restricted to published books, including e-books, in the field of educational technology bearing a recent publication date: within the last 2-3 years.
Nominated books may be academic/scholarly works or may focus on professional practice.  

Review Criteria:
1- Relevance of the book’s content to AECT’s mission
2- Significance and potential impact of the book on practice or scholarship  
3- Professional and/or academic quality of the book    
4- Technical quality including  text, images, and navigation.

Selection:
The AECT Executive Committee will evaluate nominated books, consider other evaluations supplied by nominators, and agree on selection of the award recipient. If more than one individual contributed to the winning publication, the recipients shall determine how to divide/share the award.

Nomination Procedures:
To submit an online nomination, click the online nomination link displayed below. Nominations will not be considered complete without submission linked availability of an electronic copy to the Executive Committee. Nominations can include at up to 2 preferred co-nominations. If there are problems with submission, contact AECT for alternative submission procedures.

Nature of Award: The recipient receives a cash award of $100 and a plaque.

Presentation: General Session at the AECT Annual Convention

Funding and Support: AECT Foundation

Nominations due by: April 30, 2026

Award Management on behalf of AECT: Executive Committee

Contact: AECT, aect@aect.org

https://aect.connectedcommunity.org/aect/aectawardsp/publication-award