eLearn Executive Committee & Program Committee

Program Chairs & Co-Chairs

Executive Committee

• Chair: Curt Bonk, Indiana University, USA
• Immediate Past Chair: Theo Bastiaens – Open University of The Netherlands, The Netherlands
• Kumiko Aoki, Open University of Japan
• Tian Belawati, Indonesia Open University
• Melinda Dela Peña Bandalaria, University go the Philippines Open University
• Abtar Darshan Singh, Asia Pacific University of Technology and Innovation
• Jiao Jianli, South China Normal University, China
• Lillian Koh, The Fintech Nation, Singapore
• Kyungmee Lee, Seoul National University, South Korea
• Jon Mason, Charles Darwin University, Australia
• Elaine Khoo, Massey University, New Zealand
• Thanomporn (Toh) Laohajaratsang, Chiang Mai University (CMU), Thailand,
• Sanjaya Mishra, Commonwealth of Learning, Canada
• Trang Phan, California State University, USA
• Michael Searson, Kean University, USA
• Sarah Benson, AACE
• Gary Marks, AACE

Executive Committee Member: Chair

Biography: Curtis J. Bonk is Professor in the School of Education at Indiana University (IU) teaching psychology and technology courses and Adjunct in the School of Informatics at IU. He is a former software entrepreneur, certified public accountant, corporate controller, and educational psychologist who presently is an educational technologist, award-winning writer, highly published researcher, statewide and national awardee in innovative teaching with technology, and internationally acclaimed presenter. Curt is the author of over 425 publications (including 20 books and nearly 170 peer reviewed journal articles) and has given close to 2,000 talks around the world including keynote presentations in places like Bangkok, Thailand, Melbourne, Sydney, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Singapore, Beijing, Toronto, Abu Dhabi, Cairo, Riyadh, Madrid, London, Manila, Seoul, Tel Aviv, Edinburgh, Dublin, Coimbra, Tampere, Barcelona, and Arequipa, Peru. His books include Transformative Teaching Around the World (which received an Outstanding Book Award in 2023 from AECT), Engaging Online Language Learners, The World Is Open, Empowering Online Learning, The Handbook of Blended Learning, Electronic Collaborators, Adding Some TEC-VARIETY, which is free as an e-book (http://tec-variety.com/), Motivating and Supporting Online Learners (also free; DOI 10.59668/699), and MOOCs and Open Education Around the World as well as MOOCs and Open Education in the Global South (www.moocsbook.com/). He is presently listed in the Elsevier and Stanford University list of top 2% of scientists in the world based on publication citations for career. In 2020, Curt was awarded the IU President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching and Learning Technology, and, in 2021, he received the David H. Jonassen Excellence in Research Award. Recently, the American Educational Research Association named him a 2022 AERA Fellow for his exceptional contributions to, and excellence in, education research, and in 2023 AERA recognized him with the Outstanding International Research Collaboration Award for his joint research with Professor Min Young Doo from Kangwon National University in Korea. Later in 2023, the US Distance Learning Association honored him with a USDLA Excellence in Distance Learning Research Award in Higher Education and the Online Learning Consortium (OLC) made him an OLC Fellow. Curt co-hosts the weekly multiple award-winning podcast show, Silver Lining for Learning (https://silverliningforlearning.org/). He can be contacted at [email protected] and his homepage is http://curtbonk.com/.

 

 

Executive Committee Member: Immediate Past Chair

Biography: Theo Bastiaens is rector magnificus of the Open University in the Netherlands. Bastiaens specific research interest is in Instructional Design and E-Learning. He has published extensively in this area.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Executive Committee Member

Dr. Kumiko Aoki, currently a Professor of Informatics at the Open University of Japan (OUJ), as well as the manager of the research unit leading projects concerning virtual learning commons and micro credentials. She has built a distinguished academic career blending education, communication, and information technology. She embarked on this path after earning her Ph.D. in Communication and Information Sciences from the University of Hawaii. Dr. Aoki’s early academic roles included serving as an Assistant Professor of Information Technology at Rochester Institute of Technology (1995-1998) and as an Assistant Professor of Communication at Boston University (1998-2003).

d Studies (SOKENDAI). Her journey continued as NIME merged into the Open University of Japan in April 2009. At OUJ, Dr. Aoki’s commitment to enhancing educational accessibility and effectiveness is evident. She advocates for open and flexible teaching and learning methodologies, harnessing the power of digital media, social informatics, and e-learning. A pioneer in online education, she has played a crucial role in advancing both asynchronous and synchronous learning modalities at OUJ. Dr. Aoki’s recent research delves into the innovative use of metaverse and AI technologies, aiming to enrich lifelong and life-wide learning experiences. 

 

Executive Committee Member

Biography: Prof. Abtar Darshan Singh is a renowned academic with over thirty years of experience in education, particularly in educational technology. Her career includes significant roles as a Dean and Professor at various prestigious institutions globally, including Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University, University Malaya, Open University Malaysia. She is an alumni of  Syracuse and Indiana University. Currently, she advises the Digital Learning Hub at APU and holds a UNESCO Chair focused on leveraging innovative technologies for teacher support and quality learning. A prolific author, Prof. Singh has made substantial contributions to educational innovation and reform through numerous publications. Her research addresses the challenges in education posed by globalization and technology.

 

 

 

 

Executive Committee Member

Biography: Tian Belawati, a keen advocate for inclusive online learning, has been working in the field of open and distance education (ODE) for over 40 years. She has had extensive experiences in research, teaching, and administration of a large-scale open university system. She has also been involved in many international ODE movements that has led to her appointments as President of the Asian Association of Open Universities or AAOU (2009-2010) and of the International Council for Open and Distance Education or ICDE (2012-2015). She has also been a member of ICDE Board of Trustees (2017-2020) and a member of Board of Directors of the Open Education Consortium (2017-2019). Notably, Professor Belawati (Indonesia Open University) also served as Rector of Universitas Terbuka in Indonesia from 2009-2017 where she mobilized unique partnerships and introduced innovations and sound practices in the use of new technology for the delivery of ODL. She has seen Universitas Terbuka transform over time from a traditional correspondence open university into a major provider of accessible education.

 

 

Executive Committee Member

Biography: Elaine Khoo is an Associate Professor in Digital Education at the Institute of Education, Massey University, New Zealand. Her research interest is in digital pedagogy, including online, blended, mobile, flipped and virtual learning environments. She has particular interests in online learning communities, participatory learning cultures including cross-disciplinary collaborative research contexts. She has been involved with a number of externally funded research projects across the compulsory schooling sector and at the tertiary level. In 2018, Elaine was co-leading a project that received a national award from the Flexible Learning Association NZ (FLANZ) for developing best practice videos for flipped teaching to teach undergraduate engineering threshold concepts. In addition to her work in New Zealand, Elaine previously worked in Malaysia for 10 years lecturing and collaborating on research in effective technology-based and online teaching and learning environments. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, trying new recipes, reading, and exploring new places.

 

 

Executive Committee Member

Biography: Dr. Thanomporn (Toh) Laohajaratsang, Associate Professor in Learning Technology at Chiang Mai University (CMU), Thailand, is a leading expert in shaping educational landscapes through technology. Her vision extends beyond classrooms. As the architect of CMU’s groundbreaking Digital University Project, Dr. Laohajaratsang transformed CMU into a national model for technology-driven learning.
As an assistant to the CMU President, she orchestrated digital and communication technology initiatives, enhancing administrative efficiency and fostering seamless communication. Her career as the Head of the Division of Educational Technology at CMU reflects her strategic prowess. Dr. Laohajaratsang’s consultancy work extends beyond academia, driving innovation in learning centers and information systems across schools, contributing to educational excellence nationwide.
She once consulted for UNESCO, fostering the “Next-Generation of Teachers” initiative. Dr. Laohajaratsang’s passion for innovation translates into impactful programs.  Thailand’s first-ever MOOC course, launched in 2016, bears her mark. Her research focuses on designing future learning environments and effective pedagogical approaches, ensuring technology empowers, not replaces, effective teaching. A prolific writer, Dr. Laohajaratsang’s books, including “Designing Computer-Assisted Instruction” and “Innovation in Learning Technology for the Education 4.0 Era”, are considered foundational texts in the field. Dr. Laohajaratsang’s commitment to excellence extends to international recognition.  She has held visiting scholar positions at prestigious institutions like Indiana University and the Open University of Japan. Currently, she weaves cutting-edge technologies, like AI, to create transformative learning experiences.

 

Executive Committee Member

Biography: Kyungmee Lee is an Associate Professor of Qualitative Educational Research and the Sociology of Technology and Education at the Department of Education, Seoul National University, South Korea. Previously, she was a Senior Lecturer in Technology Enhanced Learning at the Department of Educational Research at Lancaster University in the UK, where many of her publications on how doctoral students learn and live online stemmed from, including her recent co-authored book: “Online Postgraduate Education: Re-imagining Openness, Distance, and Interaction” Using a range of qualitative research methodologies and evocative academic writings, she has investigated the academic experiences of diverse non-traditional student groups in technology-mediated learning and teaching settings. Kyungmee’s scholarship emphasises concepts of discourse, knowledge and power, understood through a Foucauldian lens. Her current research programme explores the complex relationships between human subjects and non-human subjects, such as advanced intellectual technologies, in education and research contexts.

 

Executive Committee Member

Biography: Sanjaya Mishra is a leading scholar in open, distance and online learning, with extensive experience in teaching, staff development, research, policy development, innovation and organizational development. With a multi-disciplinary background in education, information science, communication media, and learning and development, Dr. Mishra is a champion for open access to knowledge resources developed with public funds. He has designed and developed several award-winning online courses and platforms, including the Commonwealth of Learning’s Commonwealth Digital Education Leadership Training in Action and COL commons.

 

 

Executive Committee Member

Biography: Dr. Michael Searson is an accomplished educator and administrator with nearly 50 years of experience in the field of education. He has served in various roles, including as a classroom teacher, higher education faculty, and academic leadership positions, often in global settings. He is passionate about creating innovative learning environments–domestically and internationally–and shaping the future of education. Searson is an editor and author of the recently published Exploring New Horizons: Generative Artificial Intelligence & Teacher Education (AACE, 2024). At Kean University, he served as a faculty member, a dean, and in other leadership positions for 37 years. He has led significant technology and online learning initiatives at Kean and beyond, including projects with Apple, Google, Facebook, & Microsoft. Searson has also worked internationally (across nearly 20 countries), assisting with founding Wenzhou Kean University in China, leading study abroad trips, working on school projects in China, and delivering presentations worldwide focused on tech integration and pedagogy. As an author or co-author, Dr. Searson has secured about $12 million in grants to support innovative ed-tech programs, often supporting diverse communities. Additionally, he has published extensively in articles and books, often highlighting learning technologies. He has served in leadership positions for multiple state, national, and international education organizations. After retiring from Kean, Searson worked in leadership roles focused on ed-tech projects, including STEAM and AI in China and with AACE. He is a past president of SITE. LinkedIn

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Program Committee

Caroline Akhras, Notre Dame University, Lebanon
Naglaa Ahmed Ali, Emirates College for Advanced Education, United Arab Emirates
Naji AlQbailat, Princess Alia University College, Al-Balqa’ Applied University, Jordan
Panagiotes Anastasiades, University of Crete, Greece
Leanna Archambault, Arizona State University, United States
Giovanna Avellis, InnovaPuglia SpA,
Jo Axe, Royal Roads University, Canada
Hua Bai, Northeastern Illinois University, United States
James Barlett, North Carolina State University, United States
William Barry, ,
Theo Bastiaens, Open University Netherlands, Netherlands
marie bertola, SCU,
Rebecca Blankenship, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, United States
Curtis Bonk, Indiana University, United States
Liza Braunlich, Purdue University, United States
Evelyn R Brown, Wiley College, United States
Sandra Brown, Broward County Public School/State Dept TGC Fellow, United States
Lucy Bush, Mercer University, United States
Janice Cardwell, Capella University, United States
Glendia Cartwright, Post University, United States
Yin Ling Cheung, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
Solen Feyissa, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, United States
Aikyna Finch, Strayer University, United States
Sheryl Hathaway, Golden West College,
Janette Hill, University of Georgia, United States
Sumin Hong, Seoul National University, United States
Hui-Yin Hsu, New York Institute of Technology, United States
Kun Huang, University of North Texas Health Science Center, United States
Bowen Hui, University of British Columbia Okanagan, Canada
Rosanna Ibarra, New Era University, Philippines
Yi Jin, Iowa State University, United States
Pamela Johnson, Department of State, United States
Antonia Jokelova, SUNY Empire State College, United States
Jolie Kennedy, University of Minnesota, United States
Mi Song Kim, University of Western Ontario, Canada
Seung Hyun Kim, Lewis University, United States
Daryl Ku, University of Melbourne, Australia
Yu-Chun Kuo, Rowan University, United States
tamer kutluca, ,
Richard N. Landers, Old Dominion University, United States
Hyunkyung Lee, Far Eastern University, Philippines
Mimi Miyoung Lee, University of Houston, United States
Hye-Yeon Lim, ,
Meng Fen Grace Lin, University of Hawaii at Manoa, United States
Fuchang Liu, Wichita State University, United States
Hwangji Lu, Ashford University, United States
Lisa Lynn, University of Illinois at Chicago, United States
Raquel Marasigan, De La Salle University, Philippines
Catherine McLoughlin, Australian Catholic University, Australia
Lucimara Mello, Alumina, Indiana University Bloomington,
Christina Metaxaki-Kossionides, University of Thrace, Greece
Hassan Mustafa, Educational Technology/Computer Science Department at College of Specified Education,Banha University, Banha – Egypt. Currently with Computer Engineering Department Al-Baha University.(Kingdom of Saudi Arabia ), Saudi Arabia
Thanh Truc Nguyen, CRDG, University of Hawaii at Manoa, United States
Sarah North, University of Minnesota, United States
Robert Owens, Winston-Salem State University, United States
Jenny Pange, University of Ioannina-Greece, Greece
Becky Sue Parton, Baylor University, United States
Joshua Patterson, University of South Florida, United States
Susan Poyo, Franciscan University, United States
Torsten Reiners, Curtin University, Australia
Paul Resta, The University of Texas at Austin, United States
Guido Roessling, TU Darmstadt, Germany
Allison Rossett, San Diego State University, United States
Suthiporn Sajjapanroj, Department of Education, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Thailand
Jaime Sánchez, University of Chile, Chile
Joyce Seitzinger, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, New Zealand
Sunmi Seol, Stanford University, United States
Feng-Ru Sheu, Kent State University, United States
Christine Smith, , Canada
Hery Yanto The, Institut Nalanda, Indonesia
Helen Tracy, Hemsley Fraser, United Kingdom
Christoph Trattner, Knowledge Management Institute and Institute for Information Systems and Computer Media Graz University of Technology Graz, Austria, Austria
Mathy Vanbuel, ATiT, Belgium
María Jesús Verdú, University of Valladolid, Spain
Rebecca Vivian, The University of Adelaide, Australia
Dina Vyortkina, Florida State University, United States
Harris Wang, School of Computing and Information Systems Athabasca University, Canada
Jane Watkins, Limestone College, United States
David Webster, University of Gloucestershire, United States
Edgar R. Weippl, Vienna University of Technology, Austria
Jodi Wilton, RCSD #81, Canada
Jack Fei Yang, Living Word Lutheran High School, Taiwan
Sanghee Yeo, Kyungpook National University, School of Medicine, Korea (South)
YUANZHONG ZHANG | Prof., APLD/FL State College System, United States
Xiaoying Zheng, Indiana University,
Meina Zhu, Wayne State University, United States