School of Informatics, education professor win information technology awards

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- The Indiana University School of Informatics and educational psychologist Curtis Bonk of the IU School of Education received 2002 Cyberstar awards on May 17 from the Indiana Information Technology Association, a state consortium of high tech business leaders and professionals.

The two awards in the category Educational Contribution to Information Technology were presented to School of Informatics Dean Michael Dunn and Professor Bonk at a ceremony in Indianapolis. The awards recognize "excellence in the promotion and/or use of technology in the academic realm and success in educational opportunities, research, program growth, student success or outstanding leadership." The School of Informatics received the Program and Department Award, and Bonk received the Higher Education Award.

The School of Informatics offers a unique curriculum that combines IT concepts with another area of study, ranging from health care to journalism to biology to economics. IU President Myles Brand, a key force behind the creation of the nation's first School of Informatics, has stated that the school is yet another way in which Indiana University is contributing to Indiana's future economic growth through development, training and research in high tech fields.

Bonk, a member of the IU Center for Research on Learning and Technology and a senior research fellow with the Army Research Institute, has earned several awards for his contributions to education. He received IU's Burton Gorman Teaching Award in 1999 and the Wilbert Hites Mentoring Award in 2000. Bonk also founded a company, CourseShare.com, that helps rural Indiana teachers integrate technology into their curriculum.

From IU Office of Communications and Marketing, Tuesday, May 21st, 2002