Adoption of Technologies in Higher Education

Abstract

The impact of digital technology and the resulting change has impacted society and every aspect of life, including higher education. Technology has affected every area of operation in higher education, dramatically changed the way work is performed, and enhanced productivity and efficiency levels. While the efforts of higher education institutions to adopt new technological innovation are laudable, it is worth noting that such adoption has not been even across campuses. Technology use has not been consistent due to a number of factors, including adoption and integration approaches, resistance, budget allocations, institutional priorities, shifting student demographics, organizational cultures, leadership issues, and failure to apply systemic approaches to adoption, among others. This chapter examines how higher education has responded to the adoption of digital technologies, reviews some of the existing issues and challenges, and identifies areas that need to be addressed to further the use of technology to improve instructional and administrative practices in higher education.