Michael Simonson

Michael Simonson is a Professor at Nova Southeastern University in the Instructional Technology and Distance Education program, part of the Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice. He has an affiliated appointment with NSU’s Patel College of Health Care Sciences. Simonson earned his Ph.D. in Instructional Systems from the University of Iowa in 1975. He has held academic roles since 1982, including Professor at Iowa State University (1984–1998) and has been at Nova Southeastern since 1998. His research focuses on distance education, instructional technology, and online learning systems. He has secured over $3 million in external grants, including the FLIGHT VIDAS II project.

• Educations: Ph.D. (1975), M.S. (1972), and B.S. (1967) from University of Iowa and Iowa State University.
• Awards: 2020 Distinguished Service Award (AECT), 2016 U.S. Distance Learning Association Hall of Fame, 2012 Professor of the Year (Fischler School of Education).

His research interests span distance education policy, instructional design, and the integration of technology in education. He has authored 12 textbooks, including Teaching and Learning at a Distance, and has over 200 scholarly publications. Simonson is the founding editor of the Quarterly Review of Distance Education and Distance Learning journal. His work emphasizes the effectiveness and accessibility of distance education, particularly in healthcare and higher education contexts.

Simonson has been involved in major educational initiatives, including the Iowa Distance Education Alliance and South Dakota Alliance for Distance Education. He has advised on numerous grants and has been recognized for his contributions to educational research and policy.