Provisional Essay Plan

This task for EDEM630 requires me to write a provisional essay plan to prepare for the first assignment. The assignment is based on the review of two change models applied to a context in education. This will also need an annotated bibliography of critiqued literature (at least 10 sources & 2000-3000 words), and a review essay (2000-3500 words).

Learning outcome actions

Publish a blog post of 350 words with a provisional essay plan. Questions you can consider include: What is my goal for writing this essay?  What information do I need to include? How will the information be organised? What is the personal change context you would like to focus on? What is the central thesis or key question you aim to answer drawing on the research on change with digital technology in education?  What are the main themes you plan to address in the body of your essay (bullet points)? What conclusions do you anticipate?  Post feedback comments on at least two essay plans from fellow learners, preferably colleagues who haven't received any feedback comments.

• Change with digital technology involves three key questions:
  1. What is the change (technology innovation)?
  2. Why is the change important / necessary?
  3. How does the change impact on teachers and learners drawing on the published literature on change models to understand the implications of change with digital technology?

My goal for writing this essay is to look at my context (high school BYOD implementation in 2016) and how two models of change could affect its implementation. The personal change context I would like to focus on is the implementation of school-wide BYOD, which is the current reality at my school for 2016. 

The information will be organised how Niki Davis has requested:

1. Title: Choose an appropriate title for your review essay 
2. Abstract Prepare an abstract of 350 words summarising the topic, key findings and conclusion
3. Introduction: Describe your context of change and research question including:
   • The nature and characteristics of the technology innovation (i.e. the what?)
   • An explanation of the importance and significance of the change for teachers and learners (i.e. the why?).
   • The thesis / or problem statement or research question What is the main idea, point of view or central question you will address in your review of the change model(s)
4. Body: This is the main part of the essay which should cover: 
   • A description of the two change models Identify two appropriate model of change which informs your thesis or problem. Summarise each model with appropriate connections to your topic / context. Then contrast and critique.
   • A review of the implications of the change model for your own context. You should cover both strengths and shortcomings or pros and cons of the model(s).
5. Conclusion: Including for example, recommendations for the future or lessons learned.

I will need to include the following information in my essay:

• Information on the 2 chosen models of change 
• Information on my specific context of change 
• Analysis of how the 2 chosen models of change could affect my context (i.e. implications of the models on my context)
• Strengths and limitations of the models

At this point in time I am unsure about the key question, themes and conclusions for my essay. Any help on this would be appreciated. 

BYOD implementation brainstorm, Simone Bailey, 2015 (Made up www.bubbl.us)

Readings:

1. Diffusion of Innovations, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diffusion_of_innovations 

• Diffusion of innovations is a theory that seeks to explain how, why and at what rate new ideas and technology spreads
• Popularised by Everett Rogers in the 1960s
• Rogers states that 4 main elements influence the spread of a new idea: the innovation itself, communication channels, time, and a social system (relies mainly on human capital)
• The innovation must be widely adopted in order to self-sustain

    

 2. Robinson, L. (2009). A summary of diffusion of innovation, http://www.enablingchange.com.au/Summary_Diffusion_Theory.pdf 

• An innovation is an idea, behaviour, or object that is perceived as new by its audience. 
• Peer discussion & networks are very important
• In diffusion of innovations it is not people who change, but the innovations themselves
• Popularity of innovation relies on: relative advantage, compatibility with existing values & practices, simplicity & ease of use, trial ability, and observable results. 

     3. Sahin, I. (2006). Detailed review of Rogers' diffusion of innovations theory and educational technology-related studies based on Rogers' theory. The Turkish Online Journal of Educational Technology. 5(2). 14-23.

• Discusses the innovators, early adopters, early majority, late majority and laggards. These are the groups of people/categories that innovations go through over time. 

   

4. CBAM video resources, published by SEDL. http://www.sedl.org/cbam/ 

• CBAM (concerns-based adoption model) is a conceptual framework providing tools and techniques in an educational environment. 
• Often new innovations are implemented in schools to improve student achievement but this isn't always the result. Instead of giving up if it 'fails' schools must understand the change process itself: stages of concern, levels of use, innovation configurations. 
• Process: Examine components, track progress, report findings, design interventions to help, measure implementation. 
• "Change is a process not an event"
• Change is a personal thing and different for many people. If you want successful change then you need to cater/understand the personal affect of change on people. 
• Concerns could be personal, management, student based or the actual innovation 
• Questionnaire and interviews used to find out engagement levels, feelings etc of teachers implementing the new innovation. 

   

 5. Sherry, L., & Gibson, D. (2002). The path to teacher leadership in educational technology. Contemporary Issues in Technology and Teacher Education. 2(2). 

• Providing the infrastructure (wireless etc.) is not enough to help and encourage teachers to use new ICT innovations. 
• Research indicates that slow process is due to a combination of technological, individual, organisational, and instructional factors - not just simply lack of access or time, or individual perceptions. 
• "Fundamental changes would need to be made in how schools are organized, how time is allocated, and how teachers are prepared." (Cuban, et al., 2001, p. 830).
• Teachers are generally more willing to adopt changes when there is adequate training, mentoring, access and technical support. 

   

 6. Wikipedia article on the technology acceptance model, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Technology_acceptance_model 

• Technology acceptance model (TAM) is an information systems theory that models how users come to accept & use technology. 
• Perceived usefulness & perceived was-of-use are two of the main factors influencing the decisions made on how and why they will use it. 
• Originally made by Davis 

Source: http://www.vvenkatesh.com/it/organizations/theoretical_models.asp 

References

• CBAM video resources, published by SEDL. http://www.sedl.org/cbam/
• Diffusion of Innovations. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diffusion_of_innovations
• Robinson, L. (2009). A summary of diffusion of innovation, http://www.enablingchange.com.au/Summary_Diffusion_Theory.pdf 
• Sahin, I. (2006). Detailed review of Rogers' diffusion of innovations theory and educational technology-related studies based on Rogers' theory. The Turkish Online Journal of Edcuational Technology. 5(2), 14-23. 
• Sherry, L., & Gibson, D. (2002). The path to teacher leadership in educational technology. Contemporary Issues in Technology and Teacher Education. 2(2). 
• Technology acceptance model. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Technology_acceptance_model