Diffusion of ICT in education and the role of collaboration: a study of EdNA

This research explored the diffusion of information and communications technology (ICT) innovations in education through a case study of Education Network Australia (EdNA) spanning fourteen years since EdNA's establishment in 1995. The study began by developing a comprehensive and original chronological history of the establishment, development and management of EdNA, with a particular focus on the collaboration amongst stakeholders in all of these phases. Four research questions were developed for the study to address. Evidence from documentary analysis, interviews with stakeholders and personal recollections was triangulated in addressing those questions. From a theoretical point of view, in the absence of theory specific to diffusion of ICT innovations in education, the research used as a theoretical starting point the work of Rogers (2003) on diffusion of innovations more generally. The analysis and interpretation of the literature related to Rogers’ theory highlighted that the likelihood of success of an innovation appears to be linked to its antecedents and pattern of its take up.