A few years ago my school decided to buy a new Optical Mark Recognition (OMR) system for Multiple Choices answer sheets marking. The salesman we had cooperated with recommends a model with a lot of e-Filing functions such as OCR, Files managing, Document routing, Security access control, etc... The price of it is just a little bit higher than a single function OMR machine. In expectation, my school bought this system because of the more functions for the same price.
However, after the system introduced in my school, the assessing rate is very low. It is because there are too many functions so that it is too complicated for the teachers to use. Although the system provider provided some training courses for the teachers, the teachers felt the operation method obstruct their teaching work.
Finally last year my school bought a new OMR system with only specialized function for MC answer sheets marking. And the assessing rate of it was high.
Finally last year my school bought a new OMR system with only specialized function for MC answer sheets marking. And the assessing rate of it was high.
I believe the story above inspire me that when we introduce new innovation, we can’t only seek for more and more functions. We must also concern on the capacity of the users and the matching-up with the work-flow of the work.
I agree with your conclusion. A better decision can be met by consulting more opinions from different parties.
回覆刪除Hi Oscar. Thanks for your post.
回覆刪除When implementing a technology in an organization, I think that it's important to involve users' views in planning, implementation and evaluation processes so that the technology can be fully utilized and thus beneficial to the organization.
Edward (MITEChange)
Agree, we always have to manage the expectation and perception of users, not the reality itself. Like your case, the multi-functions are excellent but users think it's very complicated.
回覆刪除Oscar. Thanks for your view. Innovation is good for adapting change and challenge. However, users are afraid of using new technology and system in their job. They may get use of the old and traditional methods like educators. Education is a more stable job to certain senior and old teachers. They resist to new change and only contempt in their current unchanged situation in their teaching job. As a professional educator, let us move a big step and meet the change as challenges in our life.
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