IDENTIFICATION OF E-LEARNING ADOPTER TYPES IN HIGHER EDUCATION. EMPIRICAL FINDINGS

The present paper introduces empirical findings of the research project "Adoption of e-learning innovations in Higher Education". The aim of the project was the characterization of teachers as potential adopters of e-learning innovations. Therefore the needs, motivation and attitudes of teachers in Higher Education towards e-learning innovations were analyzed by an empirical study. By using multivariate analysis (cluster analysis, factor analysis) four adopter types have been identified: explorers, research-oriented adopters, teaching-oriented adopters and networkers. The empirical findings can be used for designing target group-specific change management strategies while introducing e-learning innovations in academic teaching. The present article introduces the quintessence of the empirical study.