PERCEPTIONS AND ATTITUDES IN DIFFUSION OF INNOVATIONS

Computers are particularly beneficial to education.
It is, therefore, important to study teachers''
attitudes and perceptions toward computers, which
can well determine the successful diffusion and
implementation of this innovation. As key change
agents in the diffusion process, teachers must
display positive attitudes and perceptions toward
computers to ensure successful computer literacy
programmes that can redound to improved human
capital. This book examines the feasibility of a
computer literacy campaign for teachers in Trinidad
and Tobago (T&T) by focusing on the relationship
between the independent variables (teachers
attitudes toward computers and perceived innovation
characteristics) and the dependent variables (teacher
satisfaction and utilization). The results underscore
the importance of attitudinal and perceptual factors
to the successful implementation of computers. The
findings have policy-making implications regarding
successfully implementing computers in education. In
general, the study contributes towards understanding
the importance of technology in education towards
attaining the socioeconomic goals of developing
countries.

Autorentext

Prahalad Sooknanan, Ph.D.: Associate Professor, University of Trinidad and Tobago. MA Mass Comm, University of Leicester. Visiting Professor, University of Toledo. Assistant Professor, State University of New York. Lecturer, ALJ Graduate School of Business, UWI. Local tutor, University of Leicester, MA Mass Comm, Trinidad and Tobago.

Klappentext

Computers are particularly beneficial to education. It is, therefore, important to study teachers' attitudes and perceptions toward computers, which can well determine the successful diffusion andimplementation of this innovation. As key change agents in the diffusion process, teachers must display positive attitudes and perceptions towardcomputers to ensure successful computer literacyprogrammes that can redound to improved human capital. This book examines the feasibility of acomputer literacy campaign for teachers in Trinidadand Tobago (T&T) by focusing on the relationshipbetween the independent variables (teachers' attitudes toward computers and perceived innovationcharacteristics) and the dependent variables (teachersatisfaction and utilization). The results underscorethe importance of attitudinal and perceptual factorsto the successful implementation of computers. Thefindings have policy-making implications regardingsuccessfully implementing computers in education. In general, the study contributes towards understanding the importance of technology in education towards attaining the socioeconomic goals of developing countries.