Paragon Award for UM Online Instructors

Award Criteria

The award recognizes work conducted during a teaching appointment at the University of Mississippi. Criteria include: 

• Successful online course design and practices that enhance student learning and engagement.
• Innovative use of technology and instructional methods.
• Dedication to providing an excellent student learning experience.

Eligibility & Nominations

Instructors endorsed by Academic Outreach who taught a fully online course during the specified year are eligible. 

Instructors can be nominated for the Paragon Award by:

• Department Chair
  Chairs receive a list of potential nominees and the online course(s) taught. Chairs can nominate up to three online instructors.
• Online Course Enrichment
  Automatically nomination after course revisions and teaching the revised course.

Nomination Package Requirements

Nominees will be notified by Academic Outreach. To accept the nomination, instructors should submit:

• A video narrative presentation (maximum 10 minutes) that fully addresses the three criteria and outlines how your online course meets or exceeds all three criteria.
  • The video should include but is not limited to: your teaching philosophy and addressing and showing: course design, assessment methods, interaction and facilitation, course navigation, how technology is used in course(s), active learning activities, accessibility practices, etc.
• A brief summary of the video narrative
• Course syllabus for the nominated course (term & year)
• Optional: Student testimonials specific to the nominated course (term & year)

Timelines

Though timelines may change, the typical award process is as follows:

• Chair Nominations: Accepted from late-November to mid-December
• Submit Nomination Packages: Accepted from mid-January to mid-February
• Award Recipient Notification: Mid-late March
• Award Presentation: Online Instructor Appreciation Luncheon, usually in April