FACTORS AFFECTING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF NEW EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY IN HIGHER EDUCATION (COMMUNITY COLLEGES).

Abstract

Advances in computer and video technology, coupled with their decreasing cost, have placed considerable impetus for implementation of new technology in the educational environment. While many institutions of higher education are considering implementing systems of new educational technology, the actual process of implementing change is not well understood. The purpose of this study was to attempt to gain greater insight into the implementation process. The research questions guiding this study were: (1) What are the factors associated with the implementation of new educational technology at community colleges? (2) Who are the change agents associated with the implementaon of new educational technology at community colleges? The case study methodology was selected as the most appropriate technique for this study because: (1) research involving the implementation stage of the change process has been limited; (2) the change process does not have a single theoretical basis for conducting empirical testing; and (3) the complexity of the subject being investigated. Three community colleges in the southwestern United States, which have recently completed the implementation of an innovation, were selected for the case study research. The innovation under investigation at Vernon Regional Junior College was the implementation of a microcomputer system. The subject of investigation at Dona Ana Branch Community College was the implementation of equipment to support a word processing program. The implementation of an instructional television program was studied at New Mexico Junior College. Seven factors emerged as common to all three institutions as they implemented innovation. The seven common factors were: (1) the availability of funds outside the normal operating budget to finance implementation of innovation; (2) elimination of boundary contraction; (3) individuals affected by the innovation had input into the implementation process; (4) clear channels of communication existed among those involved in the implementation process; (5) the hierarchy involved in the approval process was limited; (6) the administration supported plans to implement the innovation; and (7) measures were taken to reduce resistance to the innovation. Change agents were found to be a necessary catalyst for change and can emerge from any level of governance.