Scanning solutions are common tools used in many industries. Four years ago my current institution decided to implement scanning solutions to reduce paper as well as storage costs. Some colleagues who perform clerical duties fear that their positions will become obsolete if technology is used to leverage efficiency and effectiveness.
Reluctance to change is probably the most common attitude towards adopting the scanning solutions amongst employees and staff. Individuals who preferred to look at hard copies of text or reports containing hundreds of pages were skeptical about utilizing scanning solutions which would eliminate the presence of the hard cover materials. As an educational technologist, I am often caught off guard by the number of colleagues who possess low self-efficacy in experimenting with new technologies. This is probably because as tech savvy people we absorb innovations easily and sometimes assume everyone else will too.
Keller’s ARCS model can be utilized to alter the motivation of employees and staff at my institution (Driscoll, 2005). According to Driscoll, John Keller’s ARCS Model of Motivational Design, is comprised of four steps for promoting and sustaining motivation in the learning process: Attention, Relevance, Confidence, Satisfaction (ARCS) (Driscoll, 2005). Enhancing relevance and building confidence are probably the two most important steps to encouraging success amongst colleagues in relation to adopting scanning solutions and similar technologies. Enhancing relevance will reduce reluctance to change because individuals will be able to relate the usefulness of the innovations to their career and personal goals. Building confidence is significant because once individuals begin to recognize they can effectively carry out demanding processes utilizing the innovations, optimistic expectations are developed.
Educational leaders need to do more to emphasize the importance of technology proficiency and skills. I think it is assumed that if everyone is obligated to develop technology skills, we’re making it clear to everyone that the technology is valuable. If technology is not a constant in the lives of our colleagues, then it will always feel like a big deal when they need to adopt a new innovation.
Reference
Driscoll, M. P. (2000). Psychology of learning for instruction (2nd ed.). Needham Heights, MA: Allyn & Bacon.
I agree with finding relevance in new ideas including technology to support new visions for many things. Once people find the relevance in something they are more eager to participate and invest their time learning. Technology is part of our everyday lives and we need to adapt constantly to continue to be part of this wave of the future.
ReplyDeleteSherry,
ReplyDeleteI think once individuals gain a comfort level with certain devices, adopting similar technologies becomes a lot easier. This is why children are more adept to learning new devices. We buy them leapads and teach them on computers. This is why students look baffled when we ask them to read a book. The problem is, they are more inclined to read on a computer or laptop.