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Adopting and Integrating New Technology in Distance Learning. Ivy Brown. New Technologies. Technologies that were previously considered advanced are becoming commonplace and new technologies are still being developed.
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Adopting and Integrating New Technology in Distance Learning Ivy Brown
New Technologies • Technologies that were previously considered advanced are becoming commonplace and new technologies are still being developed. • The U. S. Office of Technology Assessment defines distance learning as the "linking of a teacher and students in several geographic locations via technology that allows for interaction" (in Cartwright, 1994).
Decentralization of Distance Learning • Distance Learning services could be decentralized and parceled out to other departments..
Benefits of Decentralization • Students could enroll in courses and in some cases earn college degrees from a number of Virtual Universities.
Disadvantages of Decentralization • Duplication of information • More “mistakes” (e.g. co-ordination in price setting) • Agency issues • More stress so decrease in job satisfaction and productivity?
Centralized or Decentralized Approach? • Each school has a unique set of problems, concerns, and assets which are reflected in the staff and community and which contribute to the culture and climate of the school. • Another concern, addressed in the first issue of Flexnews(1996), states that there can be poor education either in the traditional classroom setting or when delivered over a computer network in a new model.
Key Change Agents in Organization • Leadership is an attribute for successful organizational change. • Boards' support • Superintendents perception • Staff beliefs and attitudes • Internal consultants with technical expertise
Seven Roles of a Change Agent • An agent of change who doesn’t settle for the ordinary• A contributor who adds value every day• A person focused on satisfying stakeholders• A leader who knows how to develop visions and attract people to action• A strategist with strong discipline skills • A source of opportunities and relationships • A builder of wealth that drives new cycles of innovation
Critical Mass and Distance Learning • Reliable statistics are absent with regards to faculty participation in distance education however, 2-12% estimated) of faculty are engaged in some form of teaching via the internet. • Rogers’ diffusion of innovation indicates innovators and early adopters give faculty participation in distance education a combined total of 16%. Despite this, we have a long way to go to reach the levels of early and late majority..
References • Cartwright, G. P. (1994, July/August). Distance Learning: A different time, a different place. Change, (26, 4) [online serial]. • Flexnews, (1996, January) 1,1. Discovering the shape of a virtual classroom [online serial].