becoming a change agent: ushering in a new approach to learning

By:Karl M. Kapp, Ed.D.

Professor, Instructional TechnologyBloomsburg University

Twitter: @kkapp

Becoming a Change Agent: Ushering in a New Approach to

Learning

What is the definition of change? Innovation?

What attributes make some technology attract and some not?

How can we help others adopt online learning? How do we “sell” the concept?

How does technology “hype” impact adoption?

The adoption of an innovation by a particular population.

An idea, practice, or object that is perceived as new.

Diffusion:

The process by which an innovation is communicated through certain channels over time among members of a social system.

So how do we diffuse the innovation of online resources and learning throughout our organization?

We need to look at two elements of diffusion.

What makes an innovation “attractive” to a social group?

What type of people are in the social group?

First, let’s look at attractiveness criteria.

It has to have a “Relative Advantage” over previous technology.

24/7 Access Repeatability

Learner’s Pace

Built-In Assessment of Progress.

Relative Advantages

Compatibility—it must be “kind of like” what we have now.

Text Diagrams

Online Workbook

Pictures

Compatibility

It can’t be too Complex.

Easy to navigate.

Easy to find needed information.

Easy to log on.

Simple

Trialability—Kicking the tires.

Explore in the online environment.

“Play” with it.

Check it out, low consequence.

Trialabilty

Observability—Watching others use the innovation first.

Watch it being used by others.

Observing how it integrates with other new employee activities.

Watch it being demonstrated.

Observability

So what do I do?

Show How it’s Compatible.

Highlight the Relative Advantage.

Talk About the Simplicity.

Help Learners “Try it Out.”

Demonstrate Functionality.

Now we need to look at what type of people are typically in social groups. In terms of technology adoption.

Drawing Exercise

Techies

Innovators

Laggards

EarlyMajority

Late Majority

Source: Geoffrey Moore, Everett Rodgers

Technology Adoption

Techies

Innovators

Laggards

EarlyMajority

Late Majority

Source: Geoffrey Moore, Everett Rodgers

Innovation Curve

Innovators

Laggards

EarlyMajority Late Majority

Source: Geoffrey Moore, Everett Rodgers

EarlyAdopters

Techies—Like technology because it’s technology, new, different and cool.

Innovation Curve

Techies

Laggards

EarlyMajority Late Majority

Source: Geoffrey Moore, Everett Rodgers

Innovators/Early Adopters

Innovators/Early Adopters—Like technology because it gives them a competitive advantage.

Innovation Curve

Techies

Laggards

EarlyMajority Late Majority

Source: Geoffrey Moore, Everett Rodgers

Innovators/Early Adopters

Early Majority—Pragmatic & believe in evolution not revolution in practices. Looking for “easier” & more efficient.

Innovation Curve

Techies

Laggards

EarlyMajority Late Majority

Source: Geoffrey Moore, Everett Rodgers

Innovators/Early Adopters

Late Majority—Highly skeptical. Wait and see if it’s a fad. Ask, have others adopted the technology?

Innovation Curve

Techies

Laggards

EarlyMajority Late Majority

Source: Geoffrey Moore, Everett Rodgers

Innovators/Early Adopters

Laggards/Skeptics--Delight in challenging the hype and puffery of technology. Ever-present critics. Not likely to adopt “new” unless forced.

Innovation Curve

Techies

Laggards

EarlyMajority Late Majority

Source: Geoffrey Moore, Everett Rodgers

Innovators/Early Adopters

Innovation Curve

Techies

Laggards

EarlyMajority Late Majority

Source: Geoffrey Moore, Everett Rodgers

Innovators/Early Adopters

Innovation Curve

Techies

Source: Geoffrey Moore, Everett Rodgers

Innovators/Early Adopters

Latest and

Greatest

Be the FirstNever

BeforeSeen

The Chasm

Innovation Curve

Techies

Laggards

EarlyMajority Late Majority

Source: Geoffrey Moore, Everett Rodgers

Innovators/Early Adopters

Innovation Curve

Laggards

EarlyMajority Late Majority

Source: Geoffrey Moore, Everett Rodgers

Tried &True

Everyone is doing it.

Low Risk

Techies

Trainee

Person infield

TrainingStaff

Member

OtherInstructor

Learner

Learner

Learner

OtherInstructor

Learner

Learner

Learner

Learner

Learner

OtherInstructor

GatekeeperInstructor

Innovators/EarlyAdopters

Majority

TechnologyTrigger

Peak of Inflated Expectations

Trough of Disillusionment

Slope of Enlightenment

Plateau of

Productivity

Source:Gartner Group

Drawing Exercise Two

TechnologyTrigger

Peak of Inflated Expectations

Trough of Disillusionment

Slope of Enlightenment

Plateau of

Productivity

Source:Gartner Group

Technology Hype Cycle

Technology Trigger—Some new technology was discovered or created.

TechnologyTrigger

Peak of Inflated Expectations

Trough of Disillusionment

Slope of Enlightenment

Plateau of

Productivity

Source:Gartner Group

Technology Hype Cycle

Peak of Inflated Expectations—This technology can do everything.

TechnologyTrigger

Peak of Inflated Expectations

Trough of Disillusionment

Slope of Enlightenment

Plateau of

Productivity

Source:Gartner Group

Technology Hype Cycle

Trough of Disillusionment-technology can’t do everything, it has problems. This is not working at all, it’s horrible.

TechnologyTrigger

Peak of Inflated Expectations

Trough of Disillusionment

Slope of Enlightenment

Plateau of

Productivity

Source:Gartner Group

Technology Hype Cycle

Slope of Enlightenment—Oh, this is what this technology does really well.

TechnologyTrigger

Peak of Inflated Expectations

Trough of Disillusionment

Slope of Enlightenment

Plateau of

Productivity

Source:Gartner Group

Technology Hype Cycle

Plateau of Productivity—Technology is solving problems and integrated into organizations successfully.

TechnologyTrigger

Peak of Inflated Expectations

Trough of Disillusionment

Slope of Enlightenment

Plateau of

Productivity

Source:Gartner Group

Technology Hype Cycle

Exercise:Explain your model to person

sitting next to you.

Drawing Exercise Three

Techies

Laggards

EarlyMajority

Late MajorityInnovators/

Early Adopters

TechnologyTrigger

Peak of Inflated Expectations

Trough of Disillusionment

Slope of Enlightenment

Plateau of

Productivity

Innovation Curve and Technology Hype Cycle

Recognize:

The favorable attributes of the online learning.

Different people will adopt at different rates.

Some will resist the change.

You must serve as a role-model of the use of online learning.

Exercise Four

Write down what attributes you think are the most favorable related to adoption ofBlended Learning

Five Stages of Adoption Process

1. Knowledge-Little information about the innovation. Not inspired to find out more information about the innovation.

2. Persuasion- Interested in the innovation and actively seeks related information/details..

3. Decision-Person weighs the advantages/disadvantages

4. Implementation—Person tests it out to varying degree. Determines usefulness.

5. Confirmation—Finalizes decision about innovation.

5 Stages of Adoption of Innovation

1.Knowledge2.Persuasion3.Decision4.Implementation5.Confirmation

Summary

List three things you are going to mentionto someone today about what you learnedabout being a change agent.

Questions?

For:Additional Ideas, thoughts and

insights visit.www.karlkapp.com

www.karlkapp.com/kapp-notes

Resourses

• Mastering the Hype Cycle:– http://www.gartner.com/books/hype-cycle/

• Diffusion of Innovations– https://www.amazon.com/Diffusion-Innovations-5th-Everett-Rogers/dp/0743222091

• Crossing the Chasm– https://www.amazon.com/Crossing-Chasm-Marketing-High-Tech-

Mainstream/dp/0060517123