The Innovation Diffusion Theory (IDT) model is the paradigm according to which technologies or approaches that are considered to be new are perceived by the members of a social system. This model is particularly applicable in education where the necessity of the implementation of technologies is constantly growing. Innovation Diffusion theory helps to understand the pattern according to which a former innovation becomes the standard element of an educational system.
There are five main innovation characteristics of IDT: relative advantage, compatibility, complexity, trialability, and observability. Relative advantage shows the pros and cons of innovation in comparison with an old idea to be replaced. Compatibility is defined as the consistency of certain innovation with the needs, values, and expectations of the supposed users. Complexity describes how the end users perceive an innovation, while trialability is a possibility to test it. Finally, observability refers to the visibility of an innovation by others. The combination of these factors helps to predict if a new technology or approach would be accepted by the group of people. The key point is that an innovation should be better than the idea which it replaces and at the same time easy to use. Only in that case, the implementation can be successful and the end users will not reject it.
The IDT model is often compared to Technology Acceptance model (TAM) as they have some key notions in common. This finding shows that these models can be combined to develop the perfect approach to innovation implementation. Both of them describe the implementation of innovation in certain conditions, which can be helpful to apply new technologies in education. The teachers and instructors may rely on IDT characteristics before they propose some learning innovations. Hence, it is possible to conduct a preliminary research to study the attitude of people towards a certain idea and ensure that the innovation will be accepted.
Additional resources about IDT:
Ismail Sahin “Detailed review of Roger’s diffusion of innovation theory and educational technology-related studies based on Roger’s theory.”
Mark K. Warford “Testing a Diffusion of Innovations in Education Model (DIEM).”
References
Sahin, I. (2006, April). Detailed review of Roger’s diffusion of innovation theory and educational technology-related studies based on Roger’s theory. The Turkish Online Journal of Educational Technology. Vol. 5 (2). Retrieved from http://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED501453.pdf
Warford, M. K. (2010). Testing a Diffusion of Innovations in Education Model (DIEM). The Innovation Journal: The Public Sector Innovation Journal, Vol. 10 (3). Retrieved from
http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:http://www.innovation.cc/peer-reviewed/warford_test_diffusion_6af_v10i3a7.pdf&gws_rd=cr&ei=QJ6DWMKcNYLM6AT6sqmgBQ
