Sinclair College eLearning Division Receives Multiple National Awards for Outstanding, Innovative Online Courses and Services

Sinclair Community College’s eLearning Division has received three awards and a special recognition for one of its professors from the Instructional Technology Council (ITC).

The eLearning Division at Sinclair Community College received the following prestigious ITC awards:

• 2020 ITC Award for Outstanding Support for Faculty or Students.  This award recognizes an organizational unit that has built a solid reputation for outstanding support and service for their faculty or students. 

• PLS (Political Science) 1120: American Federal Government taught by Sinclair professors Jennifer Sooy and Kathleen Sooy, was selected to receive the 2020 ITC Award for Outstanding eLearning eCourse.  The course focuses on the American political system at the national level, including process of government; democratic theory and development of the U. S. Constitution; citizen participation through voting; interest groups and political parties; structure, functions and powers of legislative, executive and judicial branches; issues of civil liberties and equal rights.  ITC defines an eCourse as one where fifty percent or more of the instruction and activities take place at a distance.  Only courses developed in-house at a post-secondary institution are considered.

• Sinclair Community College’s Health Information Management (HIM) department chaired by Karen Motley, has been selected to receive the 2020 ITC Award for Innovative eLearning Technology.  This award recognizes an organizational unit or person that has demonstrated the outstanding use of a new technology tool or delivery system to accomplish a new method of student delivery or learning. The students may be located on or off campus, and may be taking a face-to-face, blended learning, or fully online course. 

In addition, ITC is recognizing Sinclair Community College Chemistry Professor Patrick Greco as a distinguished educator. 

“It is an incredible honor and achievement to be recognized by the Instructional Technology Council.  These awards shine a spotlight on the tremendous efforts of Sinclair’s eLearning Division, the college’s faculty, and our IT professionals to provide the most advanced, scalable eLearning curriculum design to ensure our students’ success,” said Christina Amato, Dean – Sinclair College eLearning Division.  “The pandemic presented unique challenges for our staff, faculty, and students, but Sinclair’s already exceptional eLearning offerings and collaborative efforts allowed us to continue on a path of success.”

Sinclair College currently offers 58 fully online programs. Over 300 Sinclair courses are offered completely online. That includes most general education courses and many core specialized program courses in Business and Computer Information Systems, Health Information Management, Health Sciences, Computer Information Systems, Criminal Justice Science, Management, and more.

Since 1979, Sinclair has offered robust, student-centered distance education and eLearning-infused opportunities for all learners based on Quality Matters (QM) design principles.  The eLearning Division is the hub of innovation and excellence in technology-empowered teaching and learning, advancing Sinclair as a leader in access, equity, and alignment.

The Instructional Technology Council (ITC), provides exceptional leadership and professional development to its network of eLearning experts by advocating, collaborating, researching and sharing exemplary, innovative practices and potential in learning technologies.  As an affiliated council of the American Association of Community Colleges, ITC represents higher education institutions in the United States and Canada, and is a leader in advancing distance learning.

ITC will present the ITC Awards for Excellence in eLearning at a special live recognition ceremony during the virtual Annual Conference – eLearning on Wednesday, March 24, 2021 from 2:00pm – 2:45pm.