Transforming teaching with emerging technologies: Implications for higher education institutions

Loading...
Thumbnail Image

Date

2013

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

SUN

Abstract

A gulf is widening between the technologies used by students, those used by educators and those provided by institutions. However, knowledge about the impact of so-called emerging technologies on learning or the readiness of higher education institutions (HEIs) to engage with such technologies in the South African context is relatively thin. This article uses Rogers’ (2003) diffusion of innovations model as a conceptual framework to examine the diffusion, adoption and appropriation of emerging technologies in South African HEIs. We report on a survey which examined how emerging technologies are used in innovative pedagogical practices to transform teaching and learning across South African HEIs. The article concludes that, in order to foster a greater uptake or more institution-wide diffusion of use of emerging technologies, institutional opinion leaders need to purposefully create an enabling environment by giving recognition to and communicating with change agents, and developing policies that will encourage institutional-wide engagement with emerging technologies.

Description

Keywords

Emerging technologies, Higher education institutions, Teaching and learning, Higher education policy, Enhancement, Diffusion of innovations

Citation

Bozalek, V., Ng'ambi, D. & Gachago, D. (2013). Transforming teaching with emerging technologies: implications for Higher Education Institutions. South African Journal of Higher Education, 27(2): 419-436.