

Type of Document Dissertation Author Hoerup, Sharon Lynn URN etd-12042001-185436 Title Diffusion of an innovation: Computer technology integration and the role of collaboration Degree PhD Department Curriculum and Instruction Advisory Committee
Advisor Name Title Holmes, Glen A. Committee Co-Chair Magliaro, Susan G. Committee Co-Chair Burton, John K. Committee Member Lockee, Barbara B. Committee Member Niles, Jerome A. Committee Member Keywords
- Computer Integration
- Diffusion of Innovation
- Collaboration
Date of Defense 2001-11-30 Availability unrestricted Abstract (Abstract)
This study investigates the extent to which teachers adopted a computer technology innovation and the role of collaboration in the adoption process. Semi-structured interviews with seven teachers and one Computer Resource Teacher, supplemented by observations and documentation regarding the innovation, provide data for an in-depth, ethnographic case study. Six months were spent in the setting recording the teachers' interactions and processes centered on adopting the innovation. Results show collaboration efforts among teams and the level of uncertainty regarding the innovation influenced the amount of time and the degree to which each team adopted the innovation. Two other factors influenced the adoption rate of the innovation: the interaction that the teachers had with a change agent, which helped to decrease the level of uncertainty about the innovation with two of the teams and thus, increased their adoption rate, and the innovativeness of individuals, which had a direct connection to the rate of adoption and which influenced other members of the grade level and their rate of adoption. Each participant's level of innovativeness, their compatibility and comfort with the innovation, and their efforts to collaborate were significantly related to successful implementation of the computer technology innovation.
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