Comments on: How Much Is Enough? Focused Research

By: Gene

Gene — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 13:45:04 +0000

Jason,

You’re right on point about Diffusion of Innovation– we’ve been studying obstacles to innovation for 50 years and we should be getting better at understanding them.

I think Rogers’ Diffusion of Innovations is still a must read for those of us in this field. An innovation’s relative advantage and complexity certainly affect its adoption rate. We’re human and we generally like to use things that make sense to our situation and that are just easy to use.

I’m very much a delicious fan. Have you followed the way the advisory group for the Horizon Report has used delicious to do real work?

http://horizon.nmc.org/wiki/Main_Page

By: Gene

Gene — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 13:38:13 +0000

Karen,

I’m so far behind I never even heard of “being purked”. As Jean-Claude Bradley suggested, I am kind of liking FriendFeed–not quite addicted, but intrigued.

http://friendfeed.com/generoche

By: Jason Alley

Jason Alley — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 13:33:37 +0000

Gene, thanks for another healthy smattering of pragmatism. As I read your thoughts I couldn’t help but think it’s our role as technology leaders to act as a filter for those we support and offer our expertise, limiting their exposure to every blessed cool technology that is available. Sure, I think Twitter is a cool tool in which I’ve learned a great deal about things I wouldn’t have in the past, but I’m still not seeing how or even why it should be widely adopted to affect teaching and learning. However, a tool like del.icio.us or Voicethread, which has in my opinion more obvious uses, is well worth going to bat for because they’re simple concept tools that people are more likely to understand without too much explanation thereby boosting their chances of finding some traction in the K-12 or higher ed. classroom.

I think Rogers’ Diffusion of Innovations is still a must read for those of us in this field. An innovation’s relative advantage and complexity certainly affect its adoption rate. We’re human and we generally like to use things that make sense to our situation and that are just easy to use.