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Document Type

Dissertation - University Access Only

Award Date

2007

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department / School

Rural Sociology

First Advisor

Donna J. Hess

Abstract

The population of high school educators who are involved with the use of distance learning technology in South Dakota is used to measure the factors that influence educator's commitment to the use of distance learning technology. Using the theoretical frameworks of diffusion of innovation and rational choice, the relationships between the perception of advantage, the perception of input into the V decision making process, the presence of monetary and non-monetary incentives, training to use distance learning technology, additional or follow-up training, technical support, and the perception of the adequacy of technical support are examined. The Chi-Square statistic is used to analyze the possible effect of the independent variables on the level of commitment to the use of distance learning technology, with the phi statistic used to measure the strength of the relationship. There was a significant relationship found between the following independent variables and an educator's level of commitment to the use of distance learning technology: (1) the perception that using distance learning technology is advantageous; (2) the perception of having input into the decision making process concerning distance learning technology; (3) the presence of monetary incentives to use distance learning technology; (4) the presence of non-monetary incentives to use distance learning technology; (5) the possibility of receiving I VI non-monetary incentives to use distance learning technology; (6) receiving training to use distance learning technology; (7) receiving technical support to use distance learning technology; and (8) the perception that the technical support received to use distance learning technology is adequate. No relationship was found between an educator's level of commitment to the use of distance learning technology and the following independent variables: (1) the possibility of receiving monetary incentives and (2) receiving additional or follow-up training to use distance learning technology.

Library of Congress Subject Headings

Distance education -- South Dakota
Educational technology -- South Dakota
High school teachers -- South Dakota -- Attitudes
Incentive (Psychology)

Format

application/pdf

Publisher

South Dakota State University

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