Health professional educators' needs regarding strategies in the implementation of a learning management system

[摘要] The University of Pretoria (UP) implemented an upgraded version of theinstitutional learning management system (LMS) (called 'new clickUP) from June2011 to December 2012. The purpose of the study is to determine the levels ofuse (LoU), stages of concern (SoC), and perceived expressed needs of healthprofessional educators (HPEs) in the Faculty of Health Sciences as they adoptand implement the new LMS in their teaching.The rapid development of educational technology for teaching and learning is acause of constant change in higher education institutions. In particular, regularupgrades to an LMS put pressure on lecturers, forcing them to learn to implementupgraded versions. Although LMSs are viewed as an essential part oftechnology-enhanced learning, the literature seems to be silent about widespreadfidelity of use and how this may be achieved, particularly in a medical educationcontext.The study follows an eclectic research design utilising the Concerns BasedAdoption Model (CBAM) with its diagnostic tools (SoC and LoU) to evaluate boththe concerns of HPEs and the extent of implementation of the LMS. Theperceived expressed needs of HPEs in this context were explored further throughinterviews. The rationale for the study is that the levels of implementation of theLMS could be improved if professional staff development interventions addressspecific training and support needs of lecturers.The results of the study show that HPEs at UP have not yet completed thejourney across the bridge of implementation. Based on the results of the SoC andLoU instruments, HPEs consistently rated concerns at the Unconcerned stage asthe highest, and Management concerns as second highest. Informational andPersonal stage concerns were rated not much lower than Management concerns.Detailed information regarding the context-specific needs of HPEs was collectedfrom the perceived expressed needs interview, to supplement the needs obtainedthrough the SoC questionnaire. The results reveal some variation from the SoC,as well as additional needs HPEs have with regard to the implementation of anLMS.Four core needs of the HPEs were identified: (i) to know the reason for thechange to the new LMS; (ii) to have time available to learn, practice andimplement the system; (iii) to have access to training and support resources; and(iv) to understand the functionalities available and associated possibilities forapplication in their teaching practice.By integrating the results of research question 1 (SoC) and research question 2(LoU), the fidelity of implementation was ascertained, utilising a fidelity matrixbased on the highest SoC and LoU achieved by HPEs.To accomplish the stated rationale (i.e. to facilitate the journey across theimplementation bridge) the study recommends that attention should be paid tothe Unconcerned and Management stages of concern. Specific training andsupport interventions should address these concerns, without neglectingInformational and Personal concerns that are still prevalent.

[发布机构] University of Pretoria