Many faculty members don't think of themselves as innovators.
And yet, USF Innovative Education continues to recognize instructors who have transformed online learning through creative assessments, authentic learning experiences, engaging course designs and meaningful student support. Their innovations often begin with a simple question: How can I help my students learn better?
The Innovation in Online Design and Teaching (IODT) Award celebrates those efforts.
Each year, the award celebrates faculty who are rethinking what online learning can be. The IODT Awards were established by Innovative Education to recognize the faculty and learning design professionals who are elevating the quality of online education at USF. As online learning continues to evolve, the awards celebrate innovative, student-centered approaches to course design and teaching that enhance engagement, improve the learning experience, and support student success.
Innovations leveraged by past IODT award winners don't necessarily require expensive technology, large grants or complete course overhauls. Sometimes innovation is found in an authentic assignment that connects students to real-world challenges. Sometimes it is a new feedback strategy that helps students stay engaged and supported. Other times, it is a creative learning experience that transforms how students interact with course content and one another.
USF faculty are invited to showcase their own innovations by applying for the 2027 IODT Award by Monday, Dec. 7, 2026 at usf.to/IODTapply.
“Some of the most meaningful innovations in online teaching come from faculty finding creative ways to address challenges and improve how students learn,” said Christie Nicholas, director of Learning Design and Research at USF Innovative Education. “This award is an opportunity to recognize those efforts and highlight how thoughtful teaching and course design can make a real difference in the student learning experience.”
What Reviewers Look For
Applications are evaluated across four key areas:
- Innovation and Creativity
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- Creativity, purpose, and distinctiveness of the online teaching approaches and strategies.
- Online Learning Experience
- Quality and intentionality of teaching practices that create an engaging, active, and supportive online learning experience.
- Impact on Student Learning
- Strength of evidence demonstrating positive impact on student learning, performance, or other meaningful learning outcomes.
- Integration of Teaching and Course Design
- Intentional alignment between teaching practices and course design, including how design choices enable or strengthen the approaches described.
Together, these categories recognize that outstanding online learning happens when teaching, design and student success are intentionally connected.
What Innovation Can Look Like
Successful innovations may feature:
- Creative assessments that move beyond traditional exams
- Authentic learning experiences connected to real-world challenges
- Interactive learning activities that increase engagement
- Innovative approaches to instructor presence and feedback
- Purposeful integration of technology and AI
- Strategies that build student connection and community in online environments
Recent Award-Winning Innovations
2026: Professional Practice Before Graduation
2026 award-winner Priya Dozier was recognized for creating an online FinTech learning experience that gave graduate students robust opportunities to practice professional decision-making and apply industry-relevant skills before entering the workforce.
2025: Transforming Student Engagement
2025 award-winner T.H. Culhane was recognized for creating an immersive online learning experience that uses virtual reality, multimedia storytelling and real-world projects to actively engage learners in sustainability challenges.
2024: Excellence Through Innovation
2024 award-winner Erika Martinez was recognized for creating an engaging online microeconomics course that combined custom multimedia, interactive simulations and real-world case studies to strengthen critical thinking, collaboration and student understanding of complex economic concepts.
2023: Innovative Online Learning
2023 award-winner Sanghoon Park was recognized for designing an engaging online educational technology course that integrated hands-on projects, collaborative learning opportunities and innovative digital tools to enhance student engagement, practical skill development and real-world application of educational technology concepts.
Together, these faculty illustrate an important reality: there is no single path to innovation. What matters most is creating online learning experiences that genuinely improve student learning and engagement.
Ready to Share Your Innovation?
Your approach to online teaching might be exactly what this award celebrates.
Applications for the 2027 Innovation in Online Design and Teaching Award are due Dec. 7, 2026. Faculty can review eligibility requirements, application guidelines and submission instructions through the official IODT website.