Sponsor
Portland State University. Department of Applied Linguistics
First Advisor
Kimberly Brown
Term of Graduation
Fall 1998
Date of Publication
11-16-1998
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts (M.A.) in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages
Department
Applied Linguistics
Language
English
Subjects
Writing centers -- Automation, English language -- Written English -- Study and teaching (Higher), Diffusion of innovations, Portland State University Writing Center
Physical Description
1 online resource (iv, 135 pages)
Abstract
An innovation is an idea, object, or practice that is perceived by a certain group as being new. To study the process by which an innovation is introduced to a certain target group and the results of the effort to convince the group to adopt the innovation is to study the diffusion of that innovation. This often involves examination of the social events and communication patterns among and between the stakeholders, change agents, and target group(s). The diffusion model is relevant and useful to many disciplines. It has many practical uses and applications for policymakers in that it offers the tools to interpret social change and growth.
This case study examined a diffusion effort to introduce computer conferencing software into a university Writing Center. The diffusion effort affected the Writing Center's employees, clients, and administrators, who were the subjects of the study. The instruments used to gather data were written questionnaires administered to students and Writing Center tutors and oral interviews administered to administrators, directors, and deans.
The study asked why the innovation-decision was made, how it was implemented, and what the results were. The results indicated that certain attributes of the innovation itself—its complexity, trialability, and relative advantage—directly affected the rate of adoption among the students who were the Writing Center's potential clients. The effect was negative, in that it produced rates of adoption that were lower than hoped or anticipated. The complexity of the innovation also had an effect on how the technology was perceived, but did not have an effect on the rate of adoption in the Writing Center because adoption was non-optional for tutors. Later, there were some administrative decisions made that threatened the Writing Center's ability to support the innovation.
The study concludes that there are three issues that should be carefully explored when launching a diffusion effort in a school environment: 1) need/desire/interest; 2) time; and 3) access/ability. The study also suggests that if the structure of change agents and policymakers is multi-tiered, then communication between the different levels of the hierarchy is vital to the success of the diffusion effort.
Rights
In Copyright. URI: http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/
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Recommended Citation
Saunders, Talisman Kate Benton, "Innovation in the Writing Center: A Diffusion Study" (1998). Dissertations and Theses. Paper 7046.