An “early adopter” is going to have several important characteristics. The first is that they are currently comfortable with their teaching. Typically, they will be experienced instructors – in many cases they have taught the same course for several years and have a system and routine in place. This is important because any new initiative will have some hiccups, so an experienced instructor will be able to think on their feet and adjust accordingly. Since they may have already created materials using previous methods, they have a viable fallback plan. This will also allow them to be more relaxed and able to attempt this new initiative.

Early adopters are interested in thinking outside of the box. They cannot be instructors that are content with the status quo. These instructors will be the ones that always have the newest gadgets, are frequently reading articles or curious about new technology. They exist in any institution – it’s just a matter of identifying them. Don’t limit yourself to just looking at those that have voiced an interest in technology or use the most technology in their class. This can be a harbinger because, as I have discussed in other posts, just because the technology is available does not mean it should be used in the classroom. Instead, you are looking for creative minds interested in trying new things.

Observe how instructors interact with their students. Instructors that are able to quickly create a bond with their students are going to be the ones that you want to try a new initiative. Creating a bond with students demonstrates an understanding of the needs of their particular class.  They are flexible and interested in finding more ways to engage students. In order for any classroom-based initiative to work, you will have to have the support of the students. So an instructor that has already created that rapport with their students will have their trust, and they will be more receptive to trying something new.

Now that you have identified some potential “early adopters,” you need to ask if they would like to participate in your initiative. Explain how it will benefit their instruction, what their role will be, and what work they will need to do. More importantly, explain to them what the support options are for them. Will you provide training? Will you assist by coming to the classroom to introduce it? Be upfront and honest – tell them why you are coming to them. Let them know that you consider them a good candidate to be an “early adopter.”  As the initiative starts, be sure to check in frequently to see how things are going and be willing to assist as needed. Once the pilot has completed, enlist these “early adopters” into recruiting new instructors. If you are making a presentation, invite one of them to explain how it was actually used in the classroom. Other instructors are more likely to want to participate if they see how it was used and know that another instructor has already done it.

Using these steps you will be able to create buy-in from within the instructor ranks, identify “early adopters” who will be interested in new projects in the future, and develop an initiative in a collaborative sense that will meet the needs of both the instructors and the students.