Outstanding Book Chapter Award

Outstanding Book Chapter Award

SELF-NOMINATIONS ARE ENCOURAGED.

Purpose

This award recognizes an outstanding book chapter that advances research or practice in learner engagement

Eligibility

  • The work must be a peer-reviewed or edited book chapter.
  • The publication date must fall within a specific recent timeframe (for instance, for the 2026 Award, it will be in the 2025 cycle, between January 1 and December 31, 2025). Early online publications are acceptable if they fall in the date window.
  • Published works must be original and peer reviewed.
  • The primary author should be an AECT member. If there are co-authors, not all of them need to be AECT members.

Review Criteria

The LED provides a rubric with the following major dimensions (scored, e.g., 1–4 scale) 

  1. Relevance to Learner Engagement

    • The work should address a significant, timely issue related to learner engagement and aligns with the focus and audience of the book.

    • Clearly connects the chapter to learner engagement theory, research, or practice.

  1. Creativity

    • Demonstrates creative or innovative thinking through novel framing, synthesis, or conceptual insight.

    • Introduces fresh perspectives, approaches, or integrations (e.g., theory, methodology, or technology).

  1. Originality

    • Makes a substantive original contribution, such as new constructs, meaningful theoretical extensions, or underexplored contexts.

    • Advances understanding beyond existing literature rather than repeating well-established ideas.

  1. Importance / Impact

    • Shows strong potential to influence research, theory, or practice related to learner engagement.

    • Articulates clear and meaningful implications with lasting value to the field.

  1. Methodological Rigor

    • Demonstrates sound and appropriate scholarly or methodological grounding (empirical, theoretical, or conceptual).

    • Provides clear justification, credible evidence, and transparent discussion of limitations or boundaries.

  1. Clarity & Scholarly Quality

    • Presents ideas clearly and coherently with logical organization and scholarly tone.

    • Effectively integrates relevant literature and follows academic writing and citation conventions.

Rubric

Criteria

Excellent (4)

Good (3)

Satisfactory (2)

Needs Improvement (1)


1. Relevance to Learner Engagement

The chapter addresses a significant and timely issue related to learner engagement and is highly relevant to the theme and audience of the book. It clearly situates the discussion within current engagement theory, research, or practice.

The chapter addresses learner engagement in a meaningful way and aligns with the book’s focus, though connections to theory or practice may be less explicit.

Learner engagement is present but peripheral, weakly framed, or insufficiently connected to broader scholarly discourse.

The chapter shows little or no clear relevance to learner engagement or the book’s intended focus.

2. Creativity








Demonstrates creative and innovative thinking through novel framing, conceptual insight, or inventive synthesis. May include creative integration of theory, methods, or technologies that offer fresh perspectives on learner engagement.

Shows some creative elements, such as thoughtful adaptation or synthesis of existing ideas.






Limited creativity; relies largely on conventional frameworks or standard approaches.





No evidence of creativity; approach is routine or formulaic.







3. Originality








Makes a clear and substantive original contribution, such as introducing new constructs, extending theory in meaningful ways, or addressing underexplored contexts or populations. Advances understanding beyond existing literature.

Provides a modest original contribution, such as applying established concepts to a new context or offering incremental extensions.






Contribution is largely incremental or confirmatory, with limited novelty.







Repeats well-established ideas without meaningful original contribution.







4. Importance / Impact







The chapter has strong potential to influence research, theory, or practice. It offers clear and compelling implications for how learner engagement is conceptualized, studied, or supported, with lasting value to the field.

Indicates meaningful implications for research or practice, though their scope or articulation may be limited.






Impact is modest or narrowly scoped, with limited implications beyond the immediate context.





Offers little discernible impact on research, theory, or practice.








5. Methodological Rigor



Demonstrates strong scholarly rigor appropriate to the chapter’s purpose (empirical, theoretical, conceptual, or design-based). Arguments are well supported by credible evidence, with transparent discussion of limitations or boundaries.

Scholarly approach is generally sound and appropriate, though justification or depth may be uneven.






Weaknesses in scholarly grounding, methodological clarity, or evidentiary support are evident.






Serious flaws or lack of scholarly rigor undermine the chapter’s credibility.







6. Clarity & Scholarly Quality






Exceptionally clear, coherent, and well organized. Writing reflects high scholarly quality, appropriate tone, and strong engagement with relevant literature, consistent with expectations for an academic book chapter.

Generally clear and well written, with minor issues in organization, flow, or scholarly presentation.






Writing clarity, organization, or scholarly conventions are uneven and occasionally impede understanding.




Writing is unclear, poorly organized, or does not meet scholarly standards.






Selection

The LED awards committee, composed of members approved by the LED Board, coordinates and reviews nominations, and recommends finalists. The LED Board approves the award committee’s recommendation of the winners who will be notified before AECT's annual convention, where the award is presented. The LED Board reserves the right not to select an awardee.

Nomination Procedures

To submit a nomination, use the nomination form linked below. Complete the form and provide any additional information that may assist the awards committee. Name supporting files using the year (e.g., 2026), nominee's last name (e.g., SMITH), award name (Book Chapter), and a number (e.g., 1), separated by underscores (e.g., 2025_SMITH_BookChapter_1). Acceptable file formats are .doc and .pdf.

You may nominate yourself or another individual for this award, and the same individual may be nominated for other AECT or division awards. However, an individual cannot receive multiple awards from LED. For questions or technical issues with the nomination form, contact the designated person from the LED Board. 

Nature of Award

Plaque or Certificate

Funding and Support

AECT

Timeline:

  • Submission Deadline. May 1
  • Committee Review Period: May 1-31
  • Board Final Deliberation: June 1-15
  • Decision: June 30
  • AECT Award deadline: July 31
  • Award Winner Notification: August 1

Award Management on behalf of AECT: Learner Engagement Division