Improving the Adoption of

Learning Technologies

Rick Van Sant, Ph.D.Blackboard International

Where are you in the Lifecycle?

Innovators Early Adopters

Early Majority LateMajority

Laggards

Developed: 2013:

We are roughly here on adoption of online delivery.

CHASM

We are roughly here on adoption of online delivery..

Emerging: 2013:

Where are you in the Lifecycle?

Innovators Early Adopters

Early Majority LateMajority

Laggards

CHASM

… but wait, there may be huge disruption coming…

80% Universities in Phase 1

17% Universities in Phase 2

Less than 3% Universities in

Phase 3

E-learning Adoption Capability Maturity Curve

E-LEARNING ADOPTION ECOSYSTEM

Dedicated IT Team or Person

Dedicated e-Learning

Coordinator or distributed Champions

Senior Academic

Leadership Driving Vision of e-LearningPolicy

Development / Change

Facilitating e-Learning

Level of person and

course usage

Clear Differentiation

between Passive and

Active Engagement

Digital Business Processes

Complementing Digital Learning

Online Business

Processes

Ubiquitous Internet Access

Digital Accreditation

and Accountability

Digital Library

Transparent Public Access

Technology Celebrations

MobilityPlatform

Independent Environment

Institutional Support for Hardware &

Software

Acceptance of Social Media

Incentives for Risk Taking

Support, support, support

Creating a Technology Culture

Face-to-FaceContent Delivery

Student – Teacher

Transactions

Blended Learning

Online LearningAdaptive

Instruction

E-LEARNING METHODS

BARRIERS TO FACULTY ADOPTION

Fear of the Unknown

“If it Ain’t Broke...”

“We’re All Alone in this Together”

Know Thyself

http://net.educause.edu/ir/library/pdf/NLI0017.pdf

YOU MUST KNOW YOUR MIX OF FACULTY

Entrepreneurs Risk-averse

Reward Seekers Reluctants

Four types of Faculty

http://net.educause.edu/ir/library/pdf/NLI0017.pdf

ADOPTION FRAMEWORK

Huang, R., Deggs, D.M., Jabor, M. K., Machtmes, K. (2011) Online Journal of Distance Learning Administration, Volume XIV, Number II, Summer 2011

#1 FACTOR

Teachers’ perception and awareness of ease of use toward online technology plays the most important role in influencing teachers’ intention to adopt online technology

it is important that educational institutions and organizations should highly concentrate on how to enhance teachers’ perception of ease of use toward new online technology.

#2 FACTOR

The “subjective norm” in teachers’ perception of usefulness, shows that the social influences and opinions of other important people were closely associated with teachers’ awareness of the usefulness of the technology.

The Institution must develop “Champions” within the faculty and administration. With proper support these Champions can create a new “norm” for the campus.

#3 FACTOR

Studies show that management holds a critical role in supporting in the integrations and introductions of new online technology into instruction.

Management must be visibly supportive of the new technologies and they themselves must show familiarity with the technology.

Bakkenes et al., 2010

MAKING BLACKBOARD EASIER TO USE

• Start small

• Faculty-wide demonstrations

• Lots and lots of training… face-to-face and virtual

• College and Departmental Champions/Mentors

• Drop-in help center

• Newsletters with tips for beginners and pros.

CREATING A NEW NORM

Top Down –Institutional value change: “We are a 21st century learning institution”• Reliable network

• Marketing new identity

• Formal faculty development component

Bottom Up: Student Demand• Social Marketing

• Branding with cool items

• Competitions

• Make it mobile

• Student staffed help center

MANAGEMENT SUPPORT

Policies that support digital usage: BYOD, release time for training and development, faculty attendance policies, incentives.

Technology infrastructure: Bandwidth, wireless, server space, liberal usage policies.

THE ADOPTION HEALTH CHECK

THANK YOU!

Rick Van Sant, Ph.D.Blackboard Inc.Rick.vansant@blackboard.com