Excellence in VLE Awards

Nominations for the 2023 awards are now open!

Nominations by students

If you would like to highlight an exemplary Blackboard course, or other VLE (Virtual Learning Environment) that provides excellent online support for your course, then submit your nomination here or via the image link below.

You may nominate up to 3 modules, and the link will remain open until 18th June 2023. It can be any module from the current academic year. For every module you nominate you will be entered into a prize draw for a chance to win a £50 Amazon voucher.

Courses will be shortlisted based on the number of nominations they receive and student comments, and a team of judges will view the shortlisted courses. Winners will be announced at the Awards Event in September, and shared via this page afterwards.

Examples and tips from previous award-winning courses are available below.

Nominations by staff

Staff have the opportunity to nominate one of their own courses in this category and this year we are aligned to four thematics within the Blackboard exemplary course programme and the TEF indicator questions. For further information, view the separate staff self-nomination form.

Ethics ID 60838

VLE Superleague

In 2020 we launched the Blackboard & VLE Awards superleague, featuring courses that have won previously and are still consistently nominated by students for the outstanding support they provide. For inspiration, tour some of the superleague courses on YouTube or search the Blackboard Course Catalogue for 'Superleague'.

Super League courses

MSc Allergy Handbook, [MEDI-MSC-001]
Child Health, [MEDI3044]
Cosmology, [PHYS6005]
Foundations of Allergic Disease, [MEDI6081]
Marine Benthic Ecology, [SOES2017]
Mechanics, Structures & Materials, [FEEG1002]
Multivariable Calculus, [MATH1060]
Nervous Systems, [MEDI2046]
Principles of Macroeconomics, [ECON1002]
Psychology of Attractiveness, [PSYC1014]
The Living Earth, [SOES1009]
Thermofluids, [FEEG1003]
World Histories, [HIST1151]

Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) Awards

Our VLE Awards won an international Blackboard Catalyst Award in 2020

Now into its eleventh year, our Excellence in VLE Awards gives students the opportunity to nominate exemplary Blackboard modules, or those using other VLE (Virtual Learning Environment) platforms, and highlight what it is that makes these courses stand out.

Award-winning courses have been chosen for their innovative features and for the high standard of support they offer students. The judging panel includes student representation, Associate Deans (Education) and online learning specialists. Our course rubric explains some of the key aspects considered. Find out more about last year's winning courses in our Blackboard & VLE Awards: 10th Anniversary blog post.

Central to the VLE Awards is the chance to share good practice. Our Award winners are encouraged to contribute case studies of their practice. Short presentations summarising features praised by students, using examples from shortlisted courses, can be viewed below. This is further explored through a series of workshops for staff, which showcase faculty-specific examples of excellent materials, offer practical tips and discuss good design for online learning.