Diffusion of innovation in an Australian engineering school

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.

KEYWORDS:

• Academic staff
• change
• communities of practice
• diffusion of innovation

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Glen Currie

Glen Currie Victorian based manager, lecturer and researcher with experience in 44 countries. A Fellow of the Australian Institute of Energy and active in the energy industry from electricity generation to retail including commercialization of new technologies. Over 20 years’ experience strategically planning and leading transformations of companies. At Caterpillar, Glen was a Senior Consultant in the Service Department technology program for dealers in Europe, Asia and Australia. Led business for CSIRO Energy and became passionate about the energy transition. Next, started up solar and energy technology businesses, and recent PhD in Consumer Roles in the Future Electricity System. Glen leads complex problem solving, quickly marshalling teams to respond to changing circumstances. His mandates in previous roles included helping to “fix” the commercial process and associated systems within CSIRO Energy. Specialties: teaching and the energy transition.

Ariana Henderson

Ariana Henderson is an education professional with over 15 years of teaching experience in Australia, the UK and Japan. She is committed to developing academic and communication skills in university students, and enabling academics to embed these skills in their curriculum. Ariana's interests include the effectiveness of language teaching methodologies, academic integrity, and innovation in teaching and learning.

Ryan Hoult

Ryan Hoult career objectives is to become a highly established researcher in the field of Structural and Earthquake Engineering, applying the theory, skills and discipline knowledge I have gained from previous degrees, PhD, and Postdoctoral research. Driven to extend both analytical and experimental skills with a robust capacity to perform independent research. I have continually demonstrated my ability to develop goals, objectives and implement strategies through lesson planning and teaching experience. I have a proven ability to theorize problems and develop practical and integrated solutions, as shown throughout my PhD and Postdoctoral research. I am currently a Postdoctoral Researcher at Université catholique de Louvain in Belgium.