This Lola Award recognizes excellence in the facilitation of a live online event. Winning entries in this category demonstrate outstanding talent and achievement in maximizing the engagement of remote participants while also managing the practical aspects of facilitating a synchronous event. Judges will consider verbal (the use of voice) and non-verbal (the use of available tools, visual aids, resources, etc.) characteristics of the session leader. Judges will look for evidence of a high degree of comfort on the part of the entrant and appropriate levels of participant responsiveness. Nominee's personal style in the online medium will be considered. Nominees in this category may be individuals or teams of up to three people who jointly led the session submitted for consideration.

Submission rules: Link to a recording of a live online event facilitated by the nominee. Session must play back over a standard web connection using a standard web browser. Minimum duration of submitted recording: 15 minutes. Maximum duration: 65 minutes. Edited sessions or a series of connected segments by the same nominee may be submitted, as long as they do not collectively exceed the maximum duration, and as long as they can all be accessed from one link.

This Lola Award recognizes a creative online activity, technique or approach designed for use during a synchronous session. Judges will consider the originality and effectiveness of the nominated approach as well as its execution, as evidenced by the submitted recording.

Submission rules: Link to a recording of a live online event in which the nominated activity, approach or technique is demonstrated. Recorded sessions of events attended by actual participants are highly encouraged, but recordings made for the purpose of Lola submissions will be permitted. Link should be accompanied by a brief yet complete text-based description of the online activity, technique or approach, its target audience, and intended outcomes or impact. Background on how the technique or approach was developed for live online delivery is suggested, but not required. Judges will consider originality, effectiveness, and execution. Minimum duration of submitted recording: 15 minutes. Maximum duration: 65 minutes. If the nominated activity/approach is contained within a longer recording, entrant must indicate the start and end time of the activity and provide clear instructions on navigating to the start point. It is easier on judges if entrants supply a link directly to the nominated activity. Segments of longer sessions are permitted, but the actual activity should not be edited in any way.

This Lola Award recognizes a creative/meaningful combination of synchronous and asynchronous experiences for an effective overall training or education purpose. Judges will be looking for the effective and smart use of real-time collaboration, communication, learning or community-building within overall programs. Nominees should be able to point to evidence that that the synchronous tools or sessions are not merely present, but effectively utilized in the overall program.

Submission rules: Submissions may be (a) mainly asynchronous programs enhanced by synchronous interaction; (b) mainly synchronous programs enhanced by asynchronous interaction or resources; (c) face-to-face or venue-based programs with live online component(s); or (d) any other blend of learning media, as long as at least part, but not all, of the overall program is offered live online. Entrants should include a description of the overall program, including references to how the live online segments of the experience are implemented and contribute to the effectiveness of the overall program. Judges will be looking for effectiveness and creativity in the use of synchronous and asynchronous components in combination. Entrants should provide a link to the online components of the program, along with a username and password (if applicable), as well as a suggested path for judges to review the highlights of the online program.

This Lola Award recognizes an online session in which the session leader(s) fostered meaningful and productive real-time online collaboration among session participants. Judges will be especially seeking examples of synchronous online collaboration that demonstrate the power of the medium for joint activity among remotely located peers. Judges will have an eye for the simplicity of the approach, as well as its creativity in using available resources or tools.

Submission rules: Link to a recording of a meeting, class, workshop, webcast or other live session showcasing the nominated collaborative activity or interaction. Minimum duration of submitted recording: 3 minutes. Maximum duration: 30 minutes. If the nominated activity/approach is contained within a longer recording, entrant must indicate the start and end time of the activity and provide clear instructions on navigating to the start point. It is easier on judges if entrants supply a link directly to the nominated moment of collaboration. Segments of longer sessions are permitted, but the actual activity should not be edited in any way. A brief description should also be submitted describing the goal of the collaboration and stating why and how the collaboration was best achieved in the synchronous format, versus other available venues or media.

This Lola Award recognizes a particularly unique and effective use of one specific synchronous feature (i.e. application sharing, polling, whiteboard, text chat, video, audio, web tours, breakout rooms, etc.). Judges will be looking for innovative uses of features standard to the synchronous product used by the entrant (i.e. entrants relying on custom features not generally available to all users of a given synchronous product are discouraged from entering). Judges will be looking for out-of-the-box thinking in using tools provided by the synchronous provider right out of the box.

Submission rules: Link to a recording in which the innovative or unique use of a synchronous feature is demonstrated. Minimum duration of submitted recording: 1 minute. Maximum duration: 15 minutes. For this category, entrants may submit a recording made specifically for judging the nominated activity. Entrants may certainly provide a link to a recording of an actual unique use of the specified feature in an actual session. If such a link is provided, entrant must indicate the start and end time of the activity and provide clear instructions on navigating to the start point. It is easier on judges if entrants supply a link directly to the nominated activity. The nominated activity should focus on one specified feature. That feature should be indicated in the nomination form. If the use of the tool significantly relies on other features of the platform, entrants may want to submit the entry in the Creativity in Synchronous Design category instead.

This Lola Award recognizes a discrete, powerful learning moment during a synchronous event. The nominated segment -- which should be 5 minutes or less in duration -- should be an example of great theater, riveting drama, or teaching of the highest order. This is the chance to point the spotlight on that magical moment worthy of an Oscar, errrr, we mean a Lola.

Submission rules: Link to a recording in which the compelling or engaging learning moment took place. Minimum duration of submitted recording: 1 minute. Maximum duration: 5 minutes. Judges are looking to applaud, laugh, cry, smile broadly, or simply leave want more than the few minutes allotted when judging this category.

This Lola Award recognizes a compelling and meaningful use of video during a synchronous session. Judges are looking for uses of video that are smart and that enhance the overall experience rather than detract from it. Entrants in this category may feature live video, or the use of pre-recorded video segments during a live session. Judges will be looking to see compelling evidence that the presence or use of video positively impacted participant engagement, understanding or collaboration. Judging will also consider the degree to which the technical implementation fell into the background and the focus remained on the topic or activity at hand. Entries may be meetings, classes, workshops, webcasts, collaboration sessions, or other live online group sessions with a learning focus.

Submission rules: Link to a recording in which the compelling use of video is showcased. Session must play back over a standard web connection using a standard web browser. Minimum duration of submitted recording: 4 minutes. Maximum duration: 65 minutes. Edited sessions or a series of connected segments by the same nominee may be submitted, as long as they do not collectively exceed the maximum duration, and as long as they can all be accessed from one link.

This Lola Award recognizes excellence in the production and delivery of a live webcast with a live audience of 75 or more participants. Judges will be looking for webcast entries that strike just the right balance between production value and an appropriate level of audience participation. Judges will consider the topic's appropriateness for a large live webcast format, the organization of the content, the design of the visuals, the facilitation of the session and the overall flow. Judges will look for the use of techniques to maintain audience interest, engagement and interactivity.

Submission rules: Link to a recording of the live webcast attended by 75 or more participants. Minimum duration of submitted recording: 25 minutes. Maximum duration: 65 minutes. Edited sessions or a series of connected segments by the same nominee may be submitted, as long as they do not collectively exceed the maximum duration, and as long as they can all be accessed from one link.

This Award recognizes outstanding performance under extreme duress. Judges will consider the nature of the disaster (technical, personal, act of god) and the efforts to adapt or simply cover-up the crisis.

Submission rules: A link to a recording of a live online event in which the crisis occurred, accompanied by a brief text-based description of what was happening both live online, and behind the scenes. Maximum duration: 30 minutes. If the nominated disaster is contained within a longer recording, entrant must indicate the start and end time of the activity and provide clear instructions on navigating to the start point. If the crisis could not be "caught on tape" (i.e. that was part of the disaster -- there was no recording made!), send us a link to a new recording in which you describe in detail and/or recreate the crisis.

This Award recognizes our ability to laugh at ourselves, a key characteristic of any successful instructor or live online facilitator. Judges will consider original humor built into a lesson plan, as well as spontaneous guffaws occurring in live sessions. Judges will consider the ability of the humorous moment to transcend "inside joke" status, and move more toward broad-based appreciation.

Submission rules: A link to a recording of a live online session in which the comical, droll, farcical, gelastic, ludicrous, ridiculous, or risible moment occurred. The link should be accompanied by a brief text-based description. Maximum duration: 30 minutes. If the nominated event is contained within a longer recording, entrant must indicate the start and end time of the activity and provide clear instructions on navigating to the start point.

This Award recognizes those facilitators who have moved well beyond the “3 bullet point” or "Death by PowerPoint" model, and creatively use all of the features available in a synchronous tool (or not at all for that matter). Do you use application sharing, screen captures, or a whiteboard as an authoring tool? Do you pull off stimulating sessions with only your wit, some good facilitation strategies, and/or non-PowerPoint-based visual aids? Here’s a chance to show off!

Submission rules: A link to a recording of a live online event in which PowerPoint was not invited, accompanied by a brief text-based description of what was happening live online, and the pre-event preparation that was required. Maximum duration: 30 minutes. If the nominated presentation is contained within a longer recording, entrant must indicate the start and end time of the activity and provide clear instructions on navigating to the start point.

This Award recognizes those “Ah-Ha” moments that motivate students to pursue knowledge and instructors to continue to teach. Share with us, one of the most gratifying learning moments you fostered, experienced, or witnessed – live online.

Submission rules: A link to a recording of your favorite epiphany that took place in a live online event, accompanied by a brief text-based description. Maximum duration: 30 minutes. If the nominated learning moment is contained within a longer recording, entrant must indicate the start and end time of the activity and provide clear instructions on navigating to the start point.

This Award recognizes an innovative and unique feature that has improved the live online experience. Nominate a vendor, facilitator, or instructional designer who has created a specific tool for use in a synchronous product.

Submission rules: Link to a recording showcasing the innovative feature in action. If the tool is part of the administrative functions, or otherwise not used inside the classroom, please provide screen shots or other means of demonstration within your recording. Include a brief text-based description, with 2-3 testimonials from satisfied users. Maximum duration: 30 minutes. If the nominated feature is contained within a longer recording, entrant must indicate the start and end time of the activity and provide clear instructions on navigating to the start point.