| The purpose of this study was to describe the various change models that were used to guide implementation of computer technology in a large high school over the duration of the study (1987 to 1995), to confirm that successful change was achieved, and to develop an integrated approach for using various models during the implementation of computer technology.; The study site was an inner city high school of approximately 1400 students and 75 staff members. These numbers gradually decreased to approximately 1100 students and 65 staff by 1995. The school was a composite high school and, in addition to academic programs, offered the following wide range of programs: Career and Technology Studies including Vocational Studies, English as a Second Language, Industrial Occupations, Learning Resource Program, Native Studies, Romance Languages, and Food Preparation.; In September 1987, only a handful of teachers were interested in using computer technology. During that year, a model of change was chosen to guide the development of a technology plan, and implementation began. Over the following eight years an increasing number of teachers became involved in the project. Teachers initially used computers only as productivity tools. Gradually the teachers began using computers for automation, then instruction, and finally the use of computers became integrated into everyday instructional use.; A record was kept from 1987 to 1995 of anything that affected or was affected by technology in the school. The documentation included implementation plans, yearly event timelines, school reviews, and an evaluation of the computer implementation program including interviews, and a survey. From observations and these data, a case study was developed and analyzed using the Concerns Based Adoption Model (CBAM) as the analytical model. From the beginning of the implementation of the project to the end of data collection, implementation strategies evolved, partially to accommodate new conditions and occasionally to rectify ineffective strategies.; It was concluded that change, involving the use of four different change models, had occurred successfully at the study site. In general, there was a movement from singular processes with deliberate outcomes to pluralistic processes with emergent outcomes as implementation progressed. Throughout the progression of change there was a movement from lower to higher levels of innovation configuration, stages of concern, levels of use (diagnostic tools of the CBAM), and diversity among users of computer technology. |
