DIFFUSION OF

INNOVATION IN ESL
INSTRUCTION AND
PROGRAMS
By Alison Becerra, Lisa Marie Daugherty, and Nancy Tran

Diffusion of Innovation
Innovation:
an idea, practice, or object perceived as
(DOI)
new by an individual or other unit of adoption (Rogers
1996)
Diffusion: the process by which an innovation is
communicated through certain channels over time
among the members of a social system (Rogers, 1995).

DOI Theory-

first established by
Everett Rogers in 1962- one of the oldest
social science theories.

Technology DOI Adopter Groups

-

Innovators tend to be experimentalists and techies

interested in technology itself
Early adopters may be technologically sophisticated
and interested in technology for solving professional
and academic problems
Early majority are pragmatists and constitute the
first part of the mainstream
Late majority are less comfortable with technology
and are the skeptical second half of the mainstream
Laggards may never adopt technology and may be
antagonistic and critical of its use by others

Click on VIDEO 1 to see Diffusion of Innovation: Animated Synopsis

1. Case Study
Setting: Small Rural School in Texas
Target Population: K-12 Public School and ESL Program
Case Study Focus & Questions:
Investigating how the theory and process of Diffusion of
Innovation applies in this setting with this population

What are the characteristics and needs of the ESL population

What Innovative Instructional Methods & Technologies are they currently

using?

Some Key Factors that play into whether Technology is adopted?

Some Key Players in acceptance or rejection of innovations?

Are there sufficient and equal resources in the setting or program

What are alternatives and solutions to address the problems ?

ESL Program
English as a Second Language (ESL) is an instructional program for
students whose dominant language is not English
ESL classes: Grammar, Writing, Speaking, and Reading.
Students of ESL: anyone, whose native language
is another language than English

DOI Process in Case

Demographics
Study
Small Rural School District in Area Region 4
Population of approximately 195 students,
25-30 percent are ESL

Process of Diffusion system in Alisons school:

Existing Hierarchical System in diffusion
Region -> school -> Administrations -> Teachers -> Students
Positive - Using Google Translate and Chromebooks only on HS level
Negative - Restriction on access and downloading any application to the
computer

The Google Translate

app can repeat anything
you say in up to

NINETY
LANGUAGES
from German and Japanese
to Czech and Zulu (Google
Slides)

Google APPS
Google translate is
used as one of main
tools in teaching and
learning for ESL

What people are saying

With this
app, Im
confident to
plan a trip
to rural
Vietnam
Bethany Cringle, CA
Sources: Google Slides

Visual
translation
feels like
magic
Jude Parker, NYC

Translate
has officially
inspired me
to learn
French
Casey Baumer, NYC

2. Problems
Applying technology and new
teaching and learning method in
classroom

Due to:
Lack of open-minded
administrators and teachers
Limited finances and funding
Lack of resources for training
and implementation

3.Alternatives &
Solutions
Applying technology and new teaching
and learning method in classroom (DOI)
Training/ Supporting teachers about
technology
Purchase learning software or search
for some FREE ACCESS sources to use
in teaching and learning
Fund-raising from outside resources
( Local Business & Education
Grants)

Many Rural Communities Face these Issues.

Click VIDEO to Watch what another Rural School District is doing ?

Conclusion
Leadership plays an important role in
diffusion of innovation
The case study helps us to have a better
understanding and what obstacles can
happen and question how can we go about
them

References

Blogger (May 2012). 40 best sites for ESL study materials, textbooks, and software.
http://mastersinesl.com/2012/40-best-sites-for-esl-study-materials-textbooks-and-software/
Carr V. (n.d). Technology Adoption and Diffusion. Retrieved from
http://tld.nlm.nih.gov/resources/publications/sourcebook/adoptiondiffusion.html
Diffusion of Innovations. Retrieved from http://
en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Communication_Theory/Diffusion_of_Innovations
Video 1: Diffusion of Innovations: Retrieved from
https://youtu.be/kxVeLlTEgtU
Video 2 : Retrieved from
https://youtu.be/Hm2v-si_0-4