Adoption Patterns of Faculty Who Integrate Computer Technology for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education.

Abstract

This paper reports on research that builds and extends a diffusion of innovations framework and adopter categories in order to accurately reflect and describe faculty innovativeness with technology for teaching and learning. A World Wide Web-based survey was used to collect information from 76 faculty members from across disciplines at two major North American universities regarding technology use patterns, computer experience, use of technology for teaching, general self-efficacy, changes to teaching and learning, incentives, and barriers. Data were analyzed for the differences between early adopters and mainstream faculty, the rate of adoption of educational technology by faculty, resulting changes to the teaching and learning environment, the incentives and barriers to integrating technology, preferred methods for learning about technology, and methods for evaluating the outcomes of integration. One figure presents the continuum of innovativeness; tables present data on changes to teaching and learning, and rates of agreement with statements about changes to postsecondary teaching and leaning, incentives, and barriers to integration. Contains 27 references.