What are the significant factors that have influenced the adoption of Moodle by staff in a Māori tertiary institution?

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to get a clear understanding of the significant factors that are influencing the adoption of a Learning Management System (LMS) by staff within a Māori tertiary institution. The LMS (Moodle) has been in use since its introduction in 2005. Prior to 2005 the institution used no form of LMS or e-Learning technology. Moodle has been the first and only form of e-Learning technology used since 2005. The motivation for this research arose from the researcher’s observation that very few teaching staff were supporting their delivery strategies with the use of Moodle.

In this study the researcher seeks important answers to some critical questions. The one principal question that presented itself to the researcher was “what are the significant factors that have influenced the adoption of Moodle by staff within a Māori tertiary institution”. By studying the adoption of Moodle within a Māori tertiary institution the researcher looks at aspects of Māori culture and explores whether current technology is “transforming education” within the organization or not.

A mixed qualitative and quantitative research methodology was used. An on-line survey with SurveyMonkey and a series of interviews were employed. Observations were made and recorded to enhance the research. To gather a deeper understanding some interviews were followed by more analytical face-to-face discussions. The aim was to answer the following sub-questions:

• To what extent does Māori culture affect the adoption of Moodle? • What effect does the reluctance to move away from traditional methods of learning have on the adoption of Moodle and to what extent? • What are the levels of computer literacy and what impact are they having on the adoption of Moodle? • To what extent is the training provided impacting on the adoption of Moodle? • What are the special requirements of Māori as users of Moodle? • To what extent is the accessibility of Moodle impacting on its adoption?

... The study also concludes that even though Moodle has been used since 2005 there is still some way to go in providing solutions to the following issues.

• Extensive training required • Encouragement and support from management is required to use Moodle • A majority of staff prefer traditional over non-traditional teaching methods.

Initial set-up and maintenance of resources for the successful use of e-Learning technology takes significant time input.