Virginia Tech® home

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). 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

  • use of innovative technology,
  • demonstration of student-centered pedagogy,
  • alignment of technology and pedagogy with stated learning outcomes,
  • evidence of high-impact student learning, and
  • quality of the written XCaliber application.

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. 22, 2023. Questions about the application process can be directed to the same email address. Winners will be notified in March.

Recent Recipients

2023

  • David Hicks, Todd Ogle, Paul Quigley, and Thomas Tucker: HIST 4014 / ART 4014 / EDCI 4014 History Lab: Creative Technologies, Hidden Histories, Informal Learning (Team Award)

2022

  • Kimberly Ellis, Natalie Cherbaka, Andrew Thomas, Matthew Garlington, Ben LaBine, and Melissa Tilashalski: The Production Planning Game for ISE4204 Production Planning and Inventory Control (Team Award)

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

XCaliber Awards Chair

Dale Pike
Associate Vice Provost
Technology-enhanced Learning and Online Strategies
dalepike@vt.edu