FACTORS THAT RELATE TO THE DIFFUSION AND ADOPTION OF COMPUTER-ASSISTED INSTRUCTION AMONG COLLEGIATE NURSE EDUCATORS.

Description

The purpose of this study was to determine the importance of factors that relate to the diffusion and adoption of computer assisted instruction among collegiate nurse educators in Georgia. Seven factors representing 17 independent variables were measured and analyzed to determine the extent to which they could discriminate nurse educators as adopters or non-adopters of CAI. The group sampled in the study was composed of 320 nurse educators employed in the State of Georgia during the 1990-1991 academic year. All identifiable nurse educators in the State's 22 University System nursing programs and 3 private collegiate nursing programs were surveyed. The questionnaire was completed and returned by 65.9% (211) of the nurse educators surveyed. CAI in the form of drill and practice, tutorials, gaming, problem-solving simulations, and/or interactive video was used in at least one course by 34.6% of the nurse educators participating in the study during the period December 1988 through December 1990. The findings of this study indicate that the majority of nurse educators who adopt CAI: (a) have more years of teaching experience, (b) primarily teach clinical nursing subjects, (c) have a higher level of knowledge about microcomputers and CAI, (d) have obtained information relative to CAI through interpersonal communication, (e) perceive that the benefits of CAI outweigh the difficulties inherent in its use, and (f) have a high level of decision making autonomy in their classrooms. The perceived level of administrative support available for the adoption of CAI was found to be neither a necessary nor a sufficient condition for adoption, however, it was found to be an important predictor of non-adoption. No significant differences were found among adopters and non-adopters based on (a) primary role (classroom teacher, clinical instructor, researcher, administrator), (b) level of instruction (associate, baccalaureate, masters, doctoral), (c) type of institution where employed (University System, Private), (d) acquisition of knowledge about CAI through mass media communication, (e) attitude toward CAI, or (f) willingness to use CAI. Attitudes toward and willingness to use CAI were extremely positive for all study participants and, therefore, could not discriminate adopters and non-adopters of CAI.

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