DTheses  
Athabasca University

Digital Thesis Room >
Faculty of Graduate Studies >
Theses & Dissertations >

Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://hdl.handle.net/10791/20

Title: Factors influencing technology adoption: A case study of foreign language instructors
Authors: Mirriahi, Negin
Supervisor(s): Hoven, Debra (Centre for Distance Education, Athabasca University)
Examining Committee: Ellerman, Evelyn (Centre for Interdisciplinary Studies, Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences, Athabasca University)
Madison, Curt (University of Maine System)
Degree: Doctor of Education (EdD) in Distance Education
Department: Centre for Distance Education
Keywords: Technology Adoption
Language Instruction
Social Networks
Higher Education
Issue Date: 9-Sep-2012
Abstract: This study investigated the factors that influence foreign language instructors to adopt the use of educational technology as a supplement to their on-campus face-to-face classes. In particular, this study explored the various educational technologies that the foreign language instructors in one public post-secondary institution used to meet their teaching and learning objectives and the factors that affected their technology selection decisions. Previous literature has shown that the field of language education has historically included educational technology but few studies have explored the role that conversations amongst instructors can have on their technology adoption decisions. This study, therefore, utilized social network theory to explore the effects of foreign language instructors’ conversations with one another on their technology adoption decisions. The findings revealed an emerging trend for instructors who had adopted a greater number of technologies to be in a central position in their departmental social network influencing the spread of information and subsequently helping promote technology to their peers. However, interview data concluded that the most influential factors for technology adoption are not the result of these social networks or conversations, but are consistent with Davis’ Technology Acceptance Model instead.
Graduation Date: Oct-2012
URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10791/20
Appears in Collections:Theses & Dissertations

Files in This Item:

File Description SizeFormat
dissertation_negin_mirriahi.pdf1.33 MBAdobe PDFView/Open

Items in DSpace are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.

 

Athabasca University Library
Athabasca University Library
Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30am-4:30pm (MT)
Phone: 1-800-788-9041
Fax: 780-675-6477
E-mail: library@athabascau.ca