Chapter 13: Technology and its Impact on Higher Education

This chapter reveals the major issues surrounding the adoption of innovative instructional technology in higher education and presents an interdisciplinary model for framing changes in perspectives, action and policy. The review of existing literature illuminates the great need for colleges and universities to be more relevant and address student expectations and needs for technology integration while coping with faculty concerns about the same. The proposed model shifts away from a system that devalues innovative teaching to one that cultivates effective and innovative technology use in education even in research-focused institutions.

The foundational research and literature of this chapter includes research and theory across higher education, sociology, ethics, adult learning, faculty development and educational psychology. The chapter presents a four-stage interdisciplinary integrative innovation model for higher education, which builds upon several environmental variables that extend across policy and management issues, cultural issues, and faculty development issues. We will discuss aspects of these environmental variables such as (1) ethics and respect for colleagues, management, and support persons; (2) motivation and willingness to change; and (3) academic freedom including consideration of faculty voice. We recognize these variables as essential for encouraging faculty creativity and willingness to innovate with technology. The chapter’s discussion extends from technology implementation and student success to new aspects of cultural issues and organizational thinking. A valuable feature of this chapter is the use of scenarios and case studies to provide a new perspective for effecting and sustaining change in institutions which are often bureaucratic and static.