Tackling Assumptions and Expectations; Implementing Technology in Higher Education
Keywords:
technology; net generation; expectations mismatch, higher education; expectations; person-environment fitAbstract
This article explores the assumptions and expectations
underpinning technological implementation within Higher Education
(HE). From the author's experience, technology appears high on higher
education agendas in response to a multitude of economic and
competitive drivers. However, the assumptions upon which
technological implementation are based, derive from early research
undertaken regarding the expectations of “Net Generation” students.
From this early research, a popularised view of today's student cohorts
as consumers and extensive users of technology has arisen. In contrast,
assumptions have been made about the limited skills and amenability
towards technology of staff employed in higher education.
Contemporary literature, however, questions these early assumptions
and challenges the concept of the technologically literate student. This
article draws parallels with industrially based literature in exploring the
consequences of erroneous assumptions upon the expectations of both
implementers and users of technology within an organisation. Through
discussion of the current tensions within higher education, reasons for a
mismatch in expectations between the organisation and the user are
explored, and suggestions made regarding compromise between the
needs of mass delivered education and recognition of individual
learning need.
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