XCaliber Award
Recognizing exceptional, high-caliber contributions to technology-enriched teaching and learning.
Background
Established in 1996 by the Office of the Provost, the XCaliber Award — shorthand for exceptional, high-caliber contributions to technology-enriched learning activities — is presented annually by Technology-enhanced Learning and Online Strategies (TLOS), part of the Division of Information Technology. Recipients receive a cash award and a commemorative plaque and are invited to showcase their award-winning activities at a special event.
Award Criteria
The XCaliber Award celebrates courses and significant projects that demonstrate exemplary use of technology and student-centered pedagogy, resulting in high-impact student learning. Such courses and projects typically involve:
- Teaching practices that exhibit innovation, engagement, and reflection and foster students’ higher-order thinking skills and 21st-century skills, such as collaboration, communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving.
- Learning environments that are technology-rich, student-centered, active, and authentic.
Eligibility and Selection Process
Courses and projects led by faculty, graduate teaching assistants, and teams (faculty, staff, and students) are eligible for consideration. Winners will be selected by the XCaliber Award committee. To be considered, the course (or significant course project) must demonstrate exemplary use of technology and student-centered pedagogy resulting in high-impact student learning. Applications will be evaluated for the level of innovation and impact.
Application Process
To apply for the XCaliber Award, the individual faculty member or team leader should complete the nomination packet and submit it to tlos@vt.edu no later than Feb. 15, 2021. Questions about the application process can be directed to the same email address. Winners will be notified in March.
Recent Recipients
2020
- Diana Bairaktarova: ENGE 1354 Introduction to Spatial Visualization, (Individual Award)
- Carol Mullen: EDEL 5134 Curriculum Leadership P–12 Education (Individual Award)
2019
- Aaron Brantley: Integrated Security Education and Research Center (ISERC) project (Individual Award)
- Deborah Tatar: ThoughtSwap project (Individual Award)
2018
- Timothy D. Baird: Seeking Sustainability (Individual Award)
- Ashley Reed: Scrapbooks and Nineteenth-Century American Poetry (Individual Award)
2017
- Edward J.K. Gitre: World War II: A Global History (Individual Award)
- Clifford A. Shaffer: Data Structures and Algorithms (Individual Award)
2016
- Edward A. Fox, project lead: Enhanced Problem-Based Learning Connecting Big Data Research with Classes (Group Award)
- Dennis Kafura, project lead: Introduction to Computational Thinking(Group Award)
XCaliber Awards Chair
Dale Pike
Executive Director and Associate Provost
Technology-enhanced Learning and Online Strategies
dalepike@vt.edu