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).Cartwright

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. Flexnews

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].Distance Learning: A different time, a different place. Flexnews, (1996, January) 1,1. Discovering the shape of a virtual classroom [online serial].Discovering the shape of a virtual classroom