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Identifying Characteristics of Dissemination Success Using an Expert Panel
Author(s) -
Bourrie David M.,
Cegielski Casey G.,
JonesFarmer L. Allison,
Sankar Chetan S.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
decision sciences journal of innovative education
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.52
H-Index - 19
eISSN - 1540-4609
pISSN - 1540-4595
DOI - 10.1111/dsji.12049
Subject(s) - delphi method , dissemination , knowledge management , delphi , facet (psychology) , educational research , information dissemination , diffusion of innovations , work (physics) , computer science , foundation (evidence) , sociology , public relations , psychology , marketing , mathematics education , business , political science , engineering , big five personality traits , world wide web , law , mechanical engineering , telecommunications , social psychology , personality , artificial intelligence , operating system
Although considerable work has been done to develop new educational innovations, few have found widespread acceptance in the classroom. To improve the likelihood of adoption of educational innovations, researchers need to understand why some innovations are adopted and routinely used, while others are not. An initial aspect of the diffusion of innovations, as defined in the classical sociological literature, involves the communication of ideas and concepts related to innovations between individuals. This article presents an expert panel's answer to the following question: “What are the most important characteristics that relate to the dissemination of educational innovations?” As dissemination is a critical facet of the diffusion of an innovation, 45 researchers who received technology and engineering grants from the National Science Foundation (NSF) participated in a Delphi study designed to address this research question. In three rounds, the experts identified and ranked 11 characteristics of educational innovations, 6 characteristics of students, 13 characteristics of faculty members, and 5 characteristics of administrators that can relate to the successful dissemination of educational innovations. The results of this study led to the formation of a Characteristics of Dissemination Success (CODS) framework. This framework offers useful guidance for educational innovators seeking a better understanding of the influences on the dissemination of educational innovations.