Date of Award
2003
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Education
Department
Programs for Higher Education
Advisor
Michael Simonson
Committee Member
Soledad Arguelles
Committee Member
Barbara Packer
Committee Member
Maryellen Maher
Keywords
change agents, DDN, diffusion, Digital Dakota Network, distance education, Internet, K-12 students, learning academies, Office of Technology, Rogers, rural schools, school superintendents, South Dakota, South Dakota Department of Education and Cultural Affairs, technology networks, utilization, video conferencing, William Janklow
Abstract
The Digital Dakota Network (DDN) is a state-wide technology network that was built to connect all state school systems in South Dakota. With its Internet and video conferencing hardware and software, the Digital Dakota Network provides a technology rich learning environment for South Dakota’s K-12 students.
This applied dissertation was designed to provide information about the perceived role of school superintendents in the diffusion of distance education. The Digital Dakota Network project was started in 1996 by former South Dakota Governor William Janklow. The network project was completed in three phases. The phases were the installation of the state-wide network and hardware and software in the schools, and the education of teachers through learning academies. In 2000, the Network began its first year of operation. In addition to the Digital Dakota Network, the Governor established the Office of Technology within the South Dakota Department of Education and Cultural Affairs. The Office of Technology was interested in the utilization of the Digital Dakota Network. Interventions were initiated to promote the use of the Network. It was reported that DDN had been used very little in the first year of operation.
Distance education and the DDN is an innovation in South Dakota. This applied dissertation provided information about school superintendents and the perception of their role in change regarding distance education. In this study, school superintendents were interviewed by telephone concerning their perception of their role in distance education and the Digital Dakota Network.
This study looked at change agents and Rogers (1995) Diffusion of Innovations. An analysis of the data revealed that distance education is being adopted by schools and teachers. It is apparent from the results that there is a need for continued intervention by change agents.