>> Detailed criteria

Higher education and research
The competition is open to students, graduates, lecturers and scientists in higher education and research. Commercial organisations can only participate if their submission originates in higher education or research.

Submissions
Submissions consist of computer software designed for use within education and research in any academic discipline, using generally accepted operating systems (preferably Windows, MacOS, OS/2 or Unix), designed for workstations or personal computers. (e.g. computer based tutorials, simulations or tools).

Submission categories
Besides general submissions, there will be a separate category and prize for student projects, i.e. software entirely developed by students.

Disciplines
Entries can be submitted in the following disciplines:

1. Arts and humanities
2. Biology, life sciences and environment
3. Chemistry
4. Computer science
5. Education (practice, teachers training etc)
6. Economics
7. Engineering
8. Generic and community solutions (Electronic learning environments)
9. Generic support and disabled users
10. Languages and linguistics
11. Mathematics
12. Medicine
13. Physics
14. Social science
15. Other

Responsibilities for coordinating individual disciplines and managing evaluation and judging of submissions will be allocated to the EKMA representatives.

Judging criteria

General criteria
Formal
Submissions can
· consist of academic, student-led or, higher education or research based, commercial projects
· use any generally accepted operating system (preferably Windows, MacOS, OS/2 or Unix) and be designed for workstations or personal computers
· use documented and, if not standard, included supportive software (e.g. uncommon multimedia players, database engines, etc.)
Internal
Submissions should
· demonstrate innovative use of ICT within higher education and research
· include either new software or novel use of existing ICT facilities
· be based on work that is conducted within a European country
· if submitted from research projects, have some general relevance outside narrow, specific areas of research (through e.g. serving as an example in teaching, being applicable in broader research area, etc.)
Additional
· Making use of EC-funding, e.g. the Fourth Framework Programme, might be beneficial for the submissions.
· The commercial status of all submissions must be clear to the jurors.

Evaluation criteria
Pedagogy and Research
Submissions should demonstrate:
· appropriate use of ICT to benefit learning/research
· a sound educational/scientific approach taking into account the varied needs of users
· evidence of impact on educational/scientific practice (i.e. tested in real-life settings)
Design
Submissions should be
· well-designed and user-friendly with easy-to-use interface and documentation
· imaginative and up-to-date in their use of technology
Portability
Submissions should be appropriate for use in different countries. (e.g. different languages, different educational traditions, etc.)

Language criteria
· Administrative materials, including forms and instructions for contestants and jurors, will be provided in English.
· Submissions should preferably use English, but any of the EKMA partner languages will be accepted. It should be noted that EKMA can not guarantee assessment of submissions in every language.
· Submission forms should be entered in English, but any of the EKMA partner languages will be accepted.
· The language of the EASA 2004 finals is English. All presentations, demonstration versions and sample materials should be in English – although, regarding the criteria of portability, demonstration versions could use any other EKMA member language