Early Followers versus Early Adopters: The Use of Technology as a Change Lever Leads to Increased Learning and Decreased Costs in a Computer Fluency Course.
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| Title: | Early Followers versus Early Adopters: The Use of Technology as a Change Lever Leads to Increased Learning and Decreased Costs in a Computer Fluency Course. |
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| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Walters, Deborah, Burhans, Debra, Kershner, Helene, Alphonce, Carl |
| Availability: | For full text: http://www.educause.edu/conference/e2000/proceedings.html. For full text: http://www.educause.edu/asp/doclib/abstract.asp?ID=EDU0004. html. |
| Peer Reviewed: | N |
| Page Count: | 12 |
| Publication Date: | 2000 |
| Document Type: | Reports - Descriptive Speeches/Meeting Papers |
| Descriptors: | Computer Assisted Instruction, Computer Uses in Education, Cost Effectiveness, Course Content, Curriculum Design, Educational Development, Educational Technology, Higher Education, Technology Integration |
| Abstract: | Many early adopters of educational technology report increased costs-both in technology and in faculty time. This research shows how early followers can decrease costs by using existing online supplementary materials and a redesigned course structure that increases face-to-face contact and provides multiple means for students to learn course concepts. The experience of a course team at the University of Buffalo in the redesign of a computer fluency course is related. Based on this experience, evidence of the following prerequisites for early followers' success is provided: (1) if the physical infrastructure necessary for the course does not already exist at an institution, then the cost of providing such infrastructure will reduce any cost savings; (2) it is important to have good technical support before embarking on an early follower project; (3) the existence of adequate course management software is necessary; and (4) the existence of course specific software is needed. This work can serve as a model for other early followers within the university, and can also serve as a model for faculty at other institutions who wish to be early followers and create pedagogical use of technology that is scalable. (Contains 11 references.) (AEF) |
| Entry Date: | 2001 |
| Accession Number: | ED452803 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | Many early adopters of educational technology report increased costs-both in technology and in faculty time. This research shows how early followers can decrease costs by using existing online supplementary materials and a redesigned course structure that increases face-to-face contact and provides multiple means for students to learn course concepts. The experience of a course team at the University of Buffalo in the redesign of a computer fluency course is related. Based on this experience, evidence of the following prerequisites for early followers' success is provided: (1) if the physical infrastructure necessary for the course does not already exist at an institution, then the cost of providing such infrastructure will reduce any cost savings; (2) it is important to have good technical support before embarking on an early follower project; (3) the existence of adequate course management software is necessary; and (4) the existence of course specific software is needed. This work can serve as a model for other early followers within the university, and can also serve as a model for faculty at other institutions who wish to be early followers and create pedagogical use of technology that is scalable. (Contains 11 references.) (AEF) |
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