Diffusion of innovation in an Australian engineering school

Abstract

ABSTRACT Innovation in higher education is challenging as staff are often overloaded and highly independent. The rollout of new initiatives in higher education is difficult. This paper explores a successful innovation in higher education: the rollout of new staff training methods as part of a new learning management system (LMS) in an engineering school. The research question explored was whether diffusion of innovation theory offers a successful project structure for innovation in higher education. The measures used in this research were LMS logins in engineering compared to the whole university and feedback from the target group towards the beginning and end of the training. The findings are: (a) diffusion of innovation theory is a useful guide to innovate in higher education (b) a community of practice can play a key role in innovation in education. We conclude that key elements of a successful innovation include: (1) senior management support, (2) the time needed to change practices, (3) appropriate skill development, (4) contextualised innovation, (5) supportive networks, (6) a solid institutional infrastructure. Implications for practice or policy: This paper offers a method to encourage innovation in teaching and learning in higher education. Managers of higher education may use this method to increase staff motivation to develop teaching skills and improve the quality of teaching practice.