2016 AECT Outstanding Practice Award


Congratulations to the team!

Designers for Learning is honored to be the recipient of the 2016 Outstanding Practice Award from the Association for Educational Communication and Technology (AECT)Congratulations to the #openabe service-MOOC design and facilitation team for your volunteer service on this project!

Outstanding Practice Award

As the premier international organization for scholars, researchers, and practitioners in the field of instructional design, AECT is dedicated to furthering effective teaching and learning practices. The Outstanding Practice Award is given to individuals or groups that have designed exemplary instructional materials or systems. Our #openabe service-MOOC was nominated by a colleague in our field, and was selected by a panel of reviewers within AECT’s Design and Development Division as the 2016 recipient of this award. Reviewers noted:

“[The service-MOOC] incorporated a crowdsourcing design project approach and authentic design opportunity to develop materials for adult learners and free open educational resources (OER) for adults with low math and literacy skills that demonstrates an iterative design research approach … the professional development experience is well-grounded, implemented, and guided with professional mentors and connections to further real world experience in the practice of instructional design.”

As the Outstanding Practice Award recipient, Designers for Learning will be recognized during AECT’s International Convention in Las Vegas, Nevada on October 17 – October 21, 2016. We thank everyone involved in this course, including designers, facilitators, SMEs, and the 2,000+ who enrolled in the service-MOOC, for your participation!


Save the date! Join us in September

Designers for Learning will offer a second implementation of the #openabe service-MOOC from September 12th – December 4th, 2016. Enrollment for the course will begin August 8th. If you would like to join the fall course, please provide us with your contact information and we will keep you posted with future announcements. Also, please help us spread the word to others by sharing this post with your students or colleagues!


Connect with Designers for Learning

Do you have comments or questions about our projects? Would you like to get involved with our organization? Please connect with us at:

Jennifer Maddrell
Designers for Learning
Designers for Learning.org

Designers for Learning is organized as a nonprofit corporation in the State of Illinois, and operates exclusively for charitable purposes in accordance with section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code. Designers for Learning promotes service-learning opportunities through collaboration with schools, students, and volunteers.