A Proposed Framework for Educational Innovation Dissemination

Abstract

Although the need for new educational technologies is increasing, the process for disseminating these innovations remains a challenge. A literature review shows that few studies have thoroughly investigated this area. Furthermore, there is no comprehensive framework or coordinated research agenda that may be used to guide such investigation. This study draws on diffusion of innovation, technology acceptance, and related literatures as a basis to examine the process by which educational innovations are disseminated. In this article, we develop a framework for educational innovation dissemination and illustrate the process described by the framework using online education as an example. The stages of the dissemination process are discussed and it is shown how characteristics of the innovation, adopter, and environment may affect how well an innovation progresses through these stages. This leads to the development of a series of propositions that can be used as the basis for future investigation.