Communication Technology, Student Learning, and Diffusion of Innovation

Rogers' diffusion of innovation model was used to examine the adoption and contribution of a web-based course management system at a college campus. This study surveyed 196 students. It was found that Rogers' model successfully explained the adoption of the innovation. The adoption of the innovation also led to increased interaction between students, instructors, and course materials. The increased amount of interaction, in turn, significantly contributed to student learning. A path model was developed to examine the direct and indirect effects among variables. Contextual factors, such as student motivation, student learning styles, and computer skills, were examined. (Contains 5 tables and 1 figure.)