Milton+Week+6

In the process of diffusion, the innovation adoption experience a phase that relates to the statistical shaped [|bell-curve], except that, emphasis is not placed on the latter part of this curve. Rogers (2003) said ‘the time element of the diffusion process allows us to classify adopter categories, and to draw diffusion curves’. He further said of these curves, ‘when plotted over time on a frequency basis, the cumulative numbers of adopters plotted, results in an S-shaped curve’.
 * GradeCam S-Curve **

The GradeCam software experienced that curve, in that when it was first introduced to the commercial market in 2003, at technology conferences, it did not show signs of growth or gratified recognition. The first sign of innovation, being adopted by innovators, was at the beginning of 2004. The rate of innovation was slow then, and that affected the sales of the GradeCam software during the year 2004 – 2005. During the ensuing years, sales started to increase at a rapid rate, as not only innovators were involved in its promotion, but the early adopters of the innovation saw the need for the GradeCam in the classroom.

That rapid rate decreased the following year, 2007 – 2008, but there was still and increase in the sale of the software, as the early majority became the latest adopters. To date, the software has achieved approximately 80% of its innovative adoption, as the late majority adopters now see the need to use the software.

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However, before the laggards get involved in this diffusion process, which would signify the timely death of the technology, the original inventors, introduced a modified version at the start of 2010. This new version is called GradeCam Online, where teachers can now grade the papers at a reduced cost than the previous ‘offline’ version. I suppose this modified version is now a new product which may go through the diffusion phase once more, but probably at a faster rate, knowing that the product was prior introduced.


 * Reference **

Rogers, E. (2003). Diffusion of innovations (5th ed.). New York, NY: Free Press.

United States Trademark application []

Nagel, D. GradeCam takes test scanning online. The Journal. []