Teachers as change agents in information technology diffusion

Abstract

Technological diffusion and integration in schools is a complex process that has not met expectations. The paper analyses the views of teachers in a K-10 school of distance education to their whole school emersion approach to school change and technology diffusion. Comparison and contrast are made with theoretical models of information communication technologies (ICTs) diffusion. Evaluation revealed teachers as one of the change agents within a distributed expertise model that incorporated coercion, commitment, re-education, as well as fix the school and early adopter strategies. Overall, there was general approval of the process, minor non-acceptance of responsibility for the success of the school’s ICT program, and a majority who were able to move outside their comfort zone.