Towards a holistic model for the diffusion of educational technologies: An integrative review of educational innovation studies
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There is escalating awareness that our educational systems are facing inordinate difficulties in trying to meet the needs of a changing and increasingly technological society. However, there are many uncertainties regarding the benefits of technology and the changes that the adoption of technology necessitates, such as demand for technical support, pedagogical/instructional management issues, and teacher professional development. This article presents a diverse set of literature in the area of "adoption" of educational technology in schools. Can innovation research help explain the adoption process in schools? What happens to attempts at innovation within education? What are the benefits of computers in schools and what are the impediments for their use? How does the school context impact the change facilitation and implementation process? To help answer these difficult questions, a diffusion model will be presented to provide a snapshot of utilization of computer technology and telecommunications. When contextual factors, concerns about the innovation, and the individual stage of innovation-decision are combined, what results is a holistic view of the overall diffusion process.
