Academic computing from a technological innovation perspective: Faculty concerns

The objective of computer acquisitions is generally to have the computers used in ways that assist faculty in their teaching, research, and other work-related activities. The conceptual model and the research design of this study were based on the premise that the needs and concerns of users must be understood and addressed in order to achieve a desired level of utilization of computer resources. This study examined the perceptions of faculty members about a new networked system of microcomputers. An administrative decision had been made to provide all full-time faculty members with a microcomputer networked to shared laser printers with communications capabilities. The concerns most frequently expressed by faculty were indicative of the early stages of using an innovation. This can be explained in part by the fact that the self-reported ratings for computer software experience indicated that as a group this faculty was at a beginner level. The faculty expressed concerns about learning how to use the networked computers as well as concerns how the college would manage the system so that it would be a cost effective acquisition. Statistical analysis indicated that faculty members\u27 characteristics like age and gender were not indicators of the concerns reported. However, a statistically significant relationship was found between computer software experience and reported stages of concern. The results also showed that the more self-reported computer software experience, the higher the scores on the later stages of concern: Consequence, Collaboration, and Refocusing. There was also a statistically significant relationship found between computer experience and discipline and interest in learning new software and discipline. The disciplines where it would be expected that faculty might make greater use of computer resources (i.e. Sciences) did show greater self-reported experience amongst the faculty. Also, those in disciplines with the least self-reported experience indicated interest in learning new software sooner than those in disciplines with more experienced faculty. The responses to the open-ended question and the interview data confirmed and added to the information gathered from the quantitative analysis. The study concludes with recommendations that may be useful to others managing technological innovations of this nature