Technology Resources for Teaching Secondary Mathematics: Lessons from Early and Late Adopters of Technology in Kenya

2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 43-52
Author(s):  
Leonard M. Kamau ◽  
Jonathan Mwania ◽  
Antony K. Njue

This study investigated the extent to which access to technology resources influenced their adoption by mathematics teachers in their teaching. The study conducted in Nairobi County in the summer of 2013 applied Rogers’ diffusion of innovation theory. Participants were categorized either as early or later adopters of technology based on availability of technology or whether or not they had adopted technology for instructional purposes at their schools. Six teachers were selected; three in each category for interviews and classroom observations. The findings revealed that early adoption of technology was associated with the teachers (early adopters) belief that technology would benefit them and their students. Late adopters on their part tended to believe that technology was not compatible with their instructional needs. Interestingly, both categories of adopters agreed that technology was complex to use for instructional purposes pointing towards lack of adequate training. Similarly, both groups considered computer department in their schools a hindrance to technology adoption. Findings also highlighted the scarcity of technology resources which impacted negatively on the process of adoption. These findings suggest that teachers be trained adequately and role of the computer department as the custodian of technology at schools be liberalized. Additionally, stakeholders are advised to consider installing technology resources in classes to encourage their use rather than locking them in laboratories.

2008 ◽  
pp. 1306-1324
Author(s):  
A. K Aggarwal ◽  
Ron Legon

Web-based education is diffusing across universities, disciplines, globes and educational levels. Many institutions are at the crossroad whether or not to adopt web-based education (WBE). In many cases their survival may depend on how successfully they can adopt WBE. In this regard they can learn from the early adopters of WBE, and from their experiences both good and bad without reinventing the wheel. This paper has two specific purposes: Describe WBE diffusion at a upper level university in the US, and the second is to discuss its diffusion experiences so that other universities can benefit from it This paper relates diffusion of innovation theory and the 4P’s of marketing to discuss web education diffusion. We feel this is a first attempt in this direction. This paper should be useful worldwide for universities planning to start WBE and are looking for some guidance on “how”, “where” and “what” to follow to initiate the process.


1998 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 160-174 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen B. Thomas ◽  
Bernadette Leite ◽  
Ted Duncan

More teenagers in the United States die from gunshot wounds than from all natural causes of disease combined. Firearm-related mortality accounts for almost half of all deaths among African American teens. Residents of central cities have the highest probability of experiencing violent crimes. This article describes an innovative community-based intervention designed to break the cycle of violence among youth in metropolitan Atlanta. The intervention, Kids Alive and Loved (KAL), emerged from the African American community as one mother's response to the violent death of her 17-year-old son. The authors describe how her response to tragedy gave birth to a culturally appropriate intervention for youth exposed to violence. This article delineates the evolution of KAL, the role of community partners in the design of the intervention, and how diffusion of innovation theory has implications for understanding the KAL approach to breaking the cycle of violence.


Author(s):  
Michael J. Ahn ◽  
John McNutt

This chapter explores the possible role of microfoundations (social, cultural, and institutional factors) as a determinant of electronic government. While earlier research has implied that microfoundations might be critical to e-government, this research presents an approach to assessing how technology interacts with societal factors in creating (or not creating) e-government success. The findings suggest that e-government development depends not only on strict technological and economic capacity but also on fertile social and institutional environment that facilitate the development of e-government. These findings support the basic premise that e-government does not exist in a vacuum and these soft factors and attributes create an environment that directs the outcomes of e-government. This enriches previous research on e-government acceptance such as Diffusion of Innovation Theory (Rogers, 1983) and the Technology Acceptance Model (Davis, 1989) and extends it to national and international realms.


2018 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 726-739 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julie Delle Donne ◽  
Francis Fortin

Abstract The literature on members of police organizations adopting new technology is generally descriptive and rarely explanatory. However, the Diffusion of Innovation Theory and the studies that have grown out of it have contributed to creation of a model that helps explain adoption rates of new technology by individuals working in an organization. To verify whether this model can be used to study the adoption of technology in police organizations, our study examines the factors that influence the adoption of social media (SM) by members (n = 177) of Quebec police organizations. Our findings confirm that the factors identified in the literature on innovation—the perception that potential users have of the new technology as well as organizational factors, such as the respondent’s role in the organization—can also help explain why and how frequently a member uses SM in his or her work.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. 31-42
Author(s):  
John M. York

Stories and storytelling date back to humankind's earliest times. Stories have served as a primary avenue for sharing knowledge, history, culture, and information across civilizations. They present an essential mechanism for promoting new ideas and persuading points of view. Successful TED talks highlight how critical stories are in opening a presentation, engaging the audience, and taking participants on the storyteller's journey. Such an approach is essential not only for business executives but also for entrepreneurs and new ventures to engage stakeholders such as customers, partners, and investors. This discussion delves into understanding the value and structure of compelling stories and storytelling related to the business, institutional, and entrepreneurial settings. It highlights the importance of the story as an opening and using other setup approaches such as SCQR (situation, complication, question, and recommendation). This article provides insights into Freytag's three-act play structure and the role of the hero or heroine (hero(ine)) along with the Minto pyramid structure for making compelling arguments. It offers practical tips for applying storytelling techniques to help stories and storytelling resonate. Throughout this piece offers relevant examples to illustrate the why, how, and what. The discussion closes by connecting storytelling to organizational learning concepts. These include Crossan's 4Is "feed-forward" and Roger's diffusion of innovation theory, both of which embrace the importance of shared language and symbols that stories offer to allow for ideas, knowledge, and innovation to transcend and embed within an institution, ecosystem, or a broader universe of participants and stakeholders.


Author(s):  
Feixue Mei ◽  

This article explores the reasons behind the success of user-generated content (UGC) advertisements on Bilibili, which is one of China’s most significant video-sharing social media sites, with a core focus on East Asian pop culture. Additionally, Madoka Magica is a well-known Japanese animation about magical girls. There are two derivative games based on it. By using diffusion of innovation theory and content analysis method, this article takes UGC advertisements of Madoka Magica’s mobile games as windows to investigate how early adopters (influencers) motivate early majority adopters (their followers) to play the game. Moreover, this paper also addresses three types of bullet chats in this kind of video to further explore followers’ interaction with the influencers and reasons for the success of its marketing method. Bullet chats are a unique way to observe target consumers’ reaction to the advertisements. The author found that word-of-mouth marketing, the right audience and influential people are important factors for the success of UGC advertising. Besides, this marketing strategy is not limited to the marketing of mobile game advertisements, but can also be used for the marketing of other products. However, the prerequisite for this marketing method to be effective is that the advertised product or service has good quality


Author(s):  
Anil K Aggarwal ◽  
Ron Legon

Web-based education is diffusing across universities, disciplines, globes and educational levels. Many institutions are at the crossroad whether or not to adopt web-based education (WBE). In many cases their survival may depend on how successfully they can adopt WBE. In this regard they can learn from the early adopters of WBE, and from their experiences both good and bad without reinventing the wheel. This paper has two specific purposes: Describe WBE diffusion at a upper level university in the US, and the second is to discuss its diffusion experiences so that other universities can benefit from it This paper relates diffusion of innovation theory and the 4P’s of marketing to discuss web education diffusion. We feel this is a first attempt in this direction. This paper should be useful worldwide for universities planning to start WBE and are looking for some guidance on “how”, “where” and “what” to follow to initiate the process.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Thusitha Dissanayake ◽  
Steven Dellaportas ◽  
Prem W.S. Yapa

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to evaluate the implementation of accrual accounting among two layers of government in Sri Lanka. This study examines the process of diffusion and application among and between provincial governments and local governments to assess the barriers and enablers on the implementation of accrual accounting.Design/methodology/approachThe study relies on data collected through interviews with 30 accounting and finance personnel from all levels of government active in the diffusion process. Interviews were conducted to gather and assess their insights and perceptions on the diffusion of accrual accounting. The data are examined initially using Rogers (1995) “diffusion of innovation” theory to explain the factors influencing the diffusion and adoption of accrual accounting at two levels of government but the analysed primarily by comparing the perspectives of respondents between the different layers of government.FindingsThe findings show that the adoption of accrual accounting was more effective among local governments compared with provincial governments. The lack of effective communication and engagement from the leaders of the innovation failed to persuade provincial government adopters of the true value of the accounting reform. This is contrasted with local governments who openly adopted accrual accounting but not in response to pressure from provincial government, who have oversight responsibility for local governments, but in response to funding protocols initiated by the central government to account for grant funding.Research limitations/implicationsThe findings of the study should be interpreted with caution as the data are obtained from the narrow cohort of accounting and finance professionals and may not reflect the views or experience of all stakeholders involved in the diffusion of accrual accounting.Originality/valueThe paper contributes to the diffusion of accounting innovation literature by examining the role of key players in different layers of government, particularly visible among provincial governments where the lack of engagement delayed its commitment to the implementation of accrual accounting.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document