How Colleges Change: Approaches to Academic Reform.

This study was undertaken to determine the nature of innovation, change, and reform in higher education institutions, and to suggest how the use of educational technology might be made more effective in contributing to achievement of educational objectives. Visits were made to over 100 institutions in which externally-funded experiments were being attempted to solve different kinds of problems. Information from these visits revealed patterns of elements and conditions that distinguish successful from unsuccessful innovations. In general, innovations and changes will not be attempted or adopted just because materials are available and a need can be demonstrated. Practices and processes in collegiate institutions have grown up over time and tend to persevere unless certain favorable conditions are present and specific techniques are used to encourage innovation and change. (CH)