Research in progress: Learning from adopters and resisters of e-learning in New Zealand polytechnics and institutes of technology

Authors

  • Hugh Barr Waikato Institute of Technology
  • Stephen Bright Waikato Institute of Technology
  • John Clayton Waikato Institute of Technology
  • Stephen Cox Waikato Institute of Technology
  • Beverley Gower Waikato Institute of Technology
  • David Mitchell Waikato Institute of Technology

Keywords:

online learning, e-learning, flexible learning, flexible delivery,

Abstract

The exponential growth of e-learning practices in higher education has resulted in an increasing interest in the ways in which faculty members in tertiary institutions perceive e-learning and the ways in which they apply e-learning in their courses. Faculty who might be described as "innovators" or "early adopters" have generally embraced e-learning enthusiastically; other faculty remain disengaged or disinterested. Disengagement may be due to faculty concerns about access to technology, software, and networks or it may stem from concerns about time allocations and staff support. Disinterest may be due to a perceived lack of relevance of e-learning strategies to particular courses, or it may simply reflect faculty members' dispositions to change, innovation, and adoption. The project briefly described in this paper seeks to determine the causes of disengagement and disinterest in the adoption of e-learning approaches among teaching faculty.

Author Biographies

Hugh Barr, Waikato Institute of Technology

Project member

Stephen Bright, Waikato Institute of Technology

Project member

John Clayton, Waikato Institute of Technology

Project member

Stephen Cox, Waikato Institute of Technology

Project member

Beverley Gower, Waikato Institute of Technology

Project member

David Mitchell, Waikato Institute of Technology

Research Director

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Published

2012-05-22

Issue

Section

Research notes or reports