Curtis J. Bonk

Curtis J. Bonk is a Distinguished Professor of Instructional Systems Technology in the Learning, Design, and Adult Education Department at Indiana University, where he also serves as an adjunct faculty member in the Indiana University Luddy School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering. He teaches psychology and technology courses and brings to his academic work a diverse background, having previously worked as a software entrepreneur, certified public accountant, corporate controller, and educational psychologist before becoming an educational technologist, writer, researcher, and international presenter. Bonk joined the Indiana University faculty and was a founding member of the Indiana University Center for Research on Learning and Technology.

Bonk is recognized as a prolific and widely cited scholar in educational technology. He is the author of approximately 450 publications, including 20 books and 185 peer-reviewed journal articles, and has delivered close to 2,000 talks on six continents, including more than 340 keynote presentations in cities such as Bangkok, Melbourne, Sydney, Shanghai, Beijing, Singapore, Toronto, Abu Dhabi, Cairo, Madrid, London, Seoul, Tel Aviv, Edinburgh, and Dublin. He has served as a visiting scholar and professor in 11 countries and has been consistently listed on the Stanford University ranking of the top 2 percent of scientists in the world based on publication citations. His scholarly interests include self-directed online learning, generative AI for language learning, open education, massive open online courses (MOOCs), blended learning, distance education, informal learning, and emerging learning technologies.

Among Bonk's published works are "The World Is Open: How Web Technology Is Revolutionizing Education," "The Handbook of Blended Learning: Global Perspectives, Local Designs," "Empowering Online Learning: 100+ Activities for Reading, Reflecting, Displaying, and Doing," "MOOCs and Open Education Around the World," and "Transformative Teaching Around the World." "Transformative Teaching Around the World" received an Outstanding Book Award from the Association for Educational Communications and Technology. Bonk has been featured in and interviewed for articles in Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Boston Globe, Education Week, Chronicle of Higher Education, and Sydney Morning Herald, among others.

Bonk's contributions to educational technology have earned him numerous honors. He received the Indiana University President's Award for Excellence in Teaching and Learning Technology and the David H. Jonassen Excellence in Research Award. The American Educational Research Association named him an AERA Fellow for his contributions to education research. The Online Learning Consortium named him an OLC Fellow for his global leadership and contributions to online and blended learning, and the Association for Educational Communications and Technology named him a Fellow as well. Bonk, whose work has focused on self-directed online learning in informal and technology-enhanced settings, was named a Distinguished Professor, a title that honors faculty whose scholarship or achievements have won significant recognition by peers.

In addition to his research and teaching, Bonk is an active participant in public discussions about the future of education. He co-hosts "Silver Lining for Learning," a podcast focused on the future of learning with educators and education leaders from around the world. The podcast has received awards including the Association for Educational Communications and Technology Distinguished Development Award, the Outstanding Digital Learning Artifact Award, and the Annual Achievement Award. Bonk has consulted with organizations including the CIA, NSA, Microsoft, Cisco, the Army Research Institute, and the U.S. Department of Defense, establishing his expertise at the intersection of technology, learning, and human development.