Rogers Diffusion and Adoption Research Essay -- Research Papers Techn

Rogers' Diffusion and Adoption Research Why do technology initiatives fail despite their promises and boundless possibilities? From integrating technology in education to introducing technological innovation in agriculture, users acceptance presents a complex set of challenges to innovation diffusion. According to Everett Rogers, one reason why there is so much interest in the diffusion of innovations is because "getting a new idea adopted, even when it has obvious advantages, is very difficult" (Rogers, 1995, p. 1). In the instructional technology field, the rapid advances in information technology urges on the educational reform. This reform created a need for more research in the educational application of technology as well as in the adoption and diffusion of instructional technology. According to Surry (1995), there are three reasons why the study of diffusion theory is beneficial to the field of instructional technology. First, most instructional technologists lack the knowledge of why their products are or are not adopted. Surry (1995) believes a study of diffusion theory could rectify this situation. Second, the field of instructional technology is often associated with the concept of innovations. Surry (1995) suggested that if instructional technologists understand the adoption and diffusion of innovation theory, they will be more prepared to work effectively with potential adopters. Third, Surry (1995) concluded the studies of the diffusion theory could result in developing a system atic model of adoption and diffusion for the instructional technology field. As instructional technologists, not only do we need to create well-designed products, we need to ensure the adoption of these produc... ... instructional technology. In G.J. Anglin (Ed.), Instructional technology: Past, present, and future (2nd ed.). Englewood, CO: Libraries Unlimited. Lefebvre, E. & Lefebvre, L. (1996). Information and telecommunication technologies: The impact of their adoption on small and medium-sized enterprises. Retrieved July 4, 1999 from the World Wide Web: http://www.idrc.ca/books/focus/807/807.html Rogers, E.M. (1995). Diffusion of innovations (4th ed.) New York: The Free Press. Schiffma, S.S. (1991). Instructional systems design: Five view of the field. In G.J. Anglin (Ed.), Instructional technology: Past, present, and future (2nd ed.). Englewood, CO: Libraries Unlimited. Surry, D.W. (1997). Diffusion theory and instructional technology. Retrieved July 6, 1999 from the World Wide Web: http://www.gsu.edu/~wwwitr/diffusion/index.html