Applying the Diffusion of Innovation Model to Embrace

Applying the Diffusion of Innovation Model to Embrace Web 2. 0 Technologies: "Copyright Baiyun Chen, Debbie Kirkley, John Raible (2008). This work is the intellectual property of the author. Permission is granted for this material to be shared for non-commercial, educational purposes, provided that this copyright statement appears on the reproduced materials and notice is given that the copying is by permission ofthe author. To disseminate otherwise or to republish requires written permission from the author. " Lessons Learned in Implementing an Institutional Strategy for Wikis Presented by: Baiyun Chen, Ph. D John Raible Debbie L. Kirkley

Agenda Introduction Social Constructivism Diffusion of Innovations Implementation at UCF Wiki Research Lessons Learned/Pilot Study

University of Central Florida �Established, June 1963 �One of Florida’s 11 public universities �Fall 2007 Enrollment: 48, 699 �Metropolitan university with 11 regional campuses �Located East of Orlando

University of Central Florida

Social Constructivism �Looking at Web 2. 0 for pedagogical implications, we concluded that Web 2. 0 embodies constructivism theory. �“Knowledge is the result of social interaction and language usage, and thus is a shared, rather than an individual, experience. ” (Dolittle, 1999) �Theory Practice

Social Constructivism �Wheeler, Kelly, & Gale(2005) suggest 'transparent technologies' let the user concentrate more on the learning task by 'seeing through' the technology with which they are interacting. �The focus of these technologies is the user, especially in the aspects of content generation and usability.

Social Constructivism Constructivist learning should engage students in meaningful learning: �Active and manipulative �Constructive and Reflective �Intentional �Authentic, Challenging and Real World

Diffusion of Innovation Presented by Debbie L. Kirkley

Diffusion of Innovation Images created and permission granted by Ted Jalbert

Diffusion ----- Process by which an innovation is communicated through certain channels over time among members of a social system. Everett Rogers (1995)

Diffusion of Innovation Model Adopters • Personality characteristics • Social characteristics • Perceived need for innovation Decision Process Communication Channels Knowledge Social System • Social system norms • Tolerance of deviancy • Communication integration Persuasion Characteristics of Innovations • Relative advantage • Compatibility • Complexity • Triability • Observability Decision Adoption • Continued Adoption • Discontinuance Time Confirmation Rejection • Later Adoption • Continued Rejection

Diffusion of Innovation Cumulative Adoption Diffusion Process Late Adopters Take Off Early Adopters Time Source: Rogers, 1995

Diffusion of Innovation Model Adopters • Personality characteristics • Social characteristics • Perceived need for innovation Decision Process Communication Channels Knowledge Social System • Social system norms • Tolerance of deviancy • Communication integration Persuasion Characteristics of Innovations • Relative advantage • Compatibility • Complexity • Triability • Observability Decision Adoption • Continued Adoption • Discontinuance Time Confirmation Rejection • Later Adoption • Continued Rejection

Adoption Levels of Technology Innovators / Leading edge: • Experiment frequently with emerging innovations • Leaders

Adoption Levels of Technology Early adopters: • Uses advanced features in generally adopted innovations

Adoption Levels of Technology Early Majority / Mainstream: • Uses generally adopted innovations proficiently on a regular basis • Not prone to experimentation

Adoption Levels of Technology Late Majority / Reluctant: • Skeptics • Try to use generally adopted innovations but have problems using basic features • Will use innovations or products only when the majority are using it

Adoption Levels of Technology Laggards /Avoiders: • Love to hang onto the old ways • Critical of new ideas • Use technology as little as possible • Will accept innovation only if it has become mainstream over a period of time

Where do you fall on the adoption curve? 1. Innovator 2. Early Adopter 3. Early Majority/ Mainstream user 4. Late Majority 5. Laggard/Avoider

Diffusion of Innovation Clip from “Reap The Wild Wind” (1942)

Implementation Ease of Use • Pick-up fruit • Low-hanging fruit • Top-hanging fruit

Implementation Strategy • Initial determination by the Instructional Innovations Incubator group • Investigation of current research • Development of possible strategies for use in higher education • Initial testing (piloting)

Implementation Strategy cont. � Refinement of best practices � Gathering of data � Application on a programmatic level � Ongoing evaluation

Research Question �How to implement wiki as an instructional strategy for higher education?

Research Method �Case studies - multiple cases �Political Science �Education �Health Information �Data collection �Review wiki assignments �Interviews �Survey

Pilot Group �Provided them with Faculty Instructions � Setting up group wikis � Inviting students to the groups � Included face to face training within our faculty development course �Provided them with basic Student Instructions � How to access and login � How to edit and add pages �Provided them with model activities �Consulted with faculty for their class needs

Examples �POS 2041 �EME 2040 �EME 6807 �HSA 6112 �POS 2041 - Dr. Annabelle Conroy Debbie L. Kirkley Dr. Judy Lee Dr. Bernardo Ramirez Dr. Bob Bledsoe

Lessons Learned

Summary from Interviews �Advantages of using a wiki �Issues of using a wiki �Advice for adopting a wiki

Advantages �Ease of collaboration �Ease of use �A channel to the outside community �Richer contents

Future Study �Follow-up– Survey research �Prior computer competency & wiki knowledge �User Experience (rate) �Advantages & Issue �Demographics �Implementation in Summer & Fall 2008

Questions? �Baiyun Chen Ph. D �John Raible �Debbie L. Kirkley baiyun@mail. ucf. edu jraible@mail. ucf. edu dkirkley@mail. ucf. edu