Training Magazine Events - TIA Awards FAQ

Saturday, March 13, 2010

Technology in Action Award FAQ

Q: What are the TIA Awards?
A: The purpose of Training's Technology in Action (TIA) Awards is to recognize outstanding achievement at the intersection of strategic learning and innovative learning technologies.

Q: Who can apply?
A: Entry forms can be filled out by the end-user organization, technology provider, third-party integrator, or anyone else associated with the project; however, the main organization listed must be the end-user and the application must be submitted with full knowledge and permission from that organization.

Q: When is the application due?
A: August 1, 2008

Q: How much is the application fee?
A: There is a $99 entry fee for each application. There will be a $20 late fee for any application received after August 1, 2008. You can pay the $99 entry fee for each application at the registration fee page at:
http://www.seeuthere.com/register/m2c4f7-458270692424

Q: How many applications can I submit?
A: Each company (vendor, third-party, or organization utilizing the technology) can submit no more than two applications per category.

Q: Where can I find the TIA application?
A: Click here to read and/or download the application instructions. Click here to fill out the online Awards Application.

Q: Can I supply supporting materials?
A: We strongly encourage applicants to include links to any course materials/simulations that can be viewed online. If necessary, a program can be uploaded to our ftp site:

ftp://ftp.production.nielsenbusinessmedia.com
user: NBM_TRA
password: NBMuser01

We will not accept or consider materials sent in hard copy or on DVD- or CD-ROMs.

Q: Can I designate certain answers as Not For Publication (NFP)?
A: Yes, you can. But we encourage you to use this option sparingly, because one of the benefits of this awards program is the dissemination of information, methods, and best practices to the wider training community. To mark an item as off-limits for publication, simply append the answer with the letters NFP.

Q: When will the winners be announced?
A: Winners in each of the six categories will be notified the end of September and recognized at an awards program to be held Tuesday, November 11, 2008 from 8 - 9 p.m., during Training magazine's Technology In Action conference-within-a-conference, as part of DevLearn 2008 at the Fairmont Hotel in San Jose, CA. One overall winner chosen from the six category winners also will be revealed during the awards program.

Q: What are the award categories?
A: The following list describes the types of entries we are looking for in each category. There is no preconceived notion of what defines a Project of the Year in each category; however, we want to make sure we are judging projects that are similar in purpose. Each entry can only be submitted in ONE category.

Blended Learning: How have you delivered learning in different modalities to reach potential learners in different ways, met instructional needs by selecting the right delivery method for different types of content, and optimized your learning delivery through creative blended learning techniques. Also, what technologies did you bring together to make this happen?

Informal Learning: By definition, informal learning is something that takes place without being controlled by the training and learning staff. If that's true, do we even have a role in creating informal learning or informal learning environments? You tell us. Please submit projects in this category that demonstrate best practices in support of informal learning, short of converting everything to structured/formal learning.

Knowledge Management (KM): The KM practice runs parallel to structured learning programs. Many learning professionals are trying to figure out how to leverage its use better for learning purposes. Have you already figured this out? From an organizational perspective, how do you better align owners of content housed in a KM system with learning?

Learning Content Management: The promise of reusable learning objects has been around for several years now, but there are only a handful of outstanding case studies and examples that fully leverage the concept of learning content management. Does your project bring new light to what's possible in this area? If so, please tell us what you did to make reusability and repurposability a reality.

Simulations: Learning professionals are always asking about the ROI for using simulations both from an efficiency and learning gain perspective. Do you have a project that sheds new light on leveraging technology to teach soft skills, via role-play, running a simulated business, interpersonal skills, etc.? Show us how to create simulations with greater efficiency and share results that demonstrate it is worth the effort.

Workplace Learning: This category simply deals with learning that has been moved closer to the point of performance in the form of an EPSS, embedded learning, creating learning for deployment on devices used in the field (mobile devices), and any other innovation you've used to bring learning squarely into the workplace setting. What types of technologies enable such a transition?

Q: Against what criteria will the submissions by judged?
A: Each entry will be judged by Training magazine editors and two industry experts, using the following criteria:

Purpose and Vision: This project-of-the-year entry clearly articulates problem space and acknowledges business drivers. Project goals are clearly stated with desired, measurable outcomes (we knew what we wanted to accomplish before we engaged in the project).

Technology Choice(s): The right tool(s) for the right job(s), selected with purpose and according to the vision.

Alignment with Learning Strategy: There is a clear alignment among people, process, and technologies to meet instructional and business issues.
Implementation Excellence: Time frames, staffing issues, phased implementation, etc., are well orchestrated.

Innovation: The approach mixes common industry best practice approaches with innovative adaptation to meet needs.

Efficiency and/or Business Improvements: The project resulted in outstanding internal efficiencies and/or had a direct impact on the bottom line.

Learning Impact/Results: The project resulted in real learning results. NOTE: This is the most heavily weighted criterion. Applicants MUST detail real, measurable results.

Q: I have other questions. Who can I contact?
A: Please direct all other questions to Editor-in-Chief Lorri Freifeld at Lorri.Freifeld@nielsen.com or 646.654.4497.