Moodle between innovation and ‘business-as-usual’

Christian VoigtUniversity of South Australia

oodlemoot 2010Melbourne, 11-14 July

Motivation

How should we balance – Improving usability (tweaking, replacements) – Broadening functionalities (add-ons, in-house dev.)

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Innovation • A multi-stage process • Leading from ideas to new/improved products,

service or processes• Advancing or differentiating an

organisation in the marketplace.

3Rowley, J., Baregheh, M., & Sambrook, S. (2009).

Researching innovation

• What should be … defining requirements • What could be … providing the tools • What is … understanding impact

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Selwyn, N. (2010)

Researching innovation

• What should be … defining requirements • What could be … providing the tools • What is … understanding impact

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Selwyn, N. (2010)

Uptake across teachers …

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5 weeks into first ‘Moodle’ study period

Uptake across courses …

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However, rate of adoption doesn’t say much about

quality of adoption…

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Five things to ask about innovations1. Is there a way to experiment without having to commit?

2. Do I understand what the innovation can do for me and how?

3. Will it be better than before?

4. Does the change affect my values of and beliefs about teaching and learning negatively?

5. Does using the innovation produce benefits that are visible to and valued by others?

9 (Rogers 2003)

Usability Issue

Innovation Issue

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2. Do I understand what the innovation can do for me and how?

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3. Will it be better than before?

• Assume diversity • Avoid overly flat depictions of online learning• Question open or hidden technology

determinism

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4. Does the change affect my values of and beliefs about teaching and learning negatively?

Wrapping up • Inform about innovations .. (increase innovators)

• Train why and how … (increase early adopters)

• Balance resources Address usability issues … (increase early majority)Negotiate novelties … (keeping innovators on board)

• Discuss teaching and learning values, incentives … (increase late majority)

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Thanks

Gaver, W.W. (1991) Technology affordances. SIGCHI, New Orleans,US

Rogers, E. M. (2003). Diffusion of innovations (5th ed.). New York: Free Press.

Rowley, J., Baregheh, M., & Sambrook, S. (2009). Towards a multidisciplinary definition of Innovation. Management Decision, 47.

Selwyn, N. (2010). Looking beyond learning: notes towards the critical study of educational technology. Journal of Computer Assisted Learning, 26(1), 65-73.

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