Diffusion of innovation and e-Learning phenomenon

In the present paper diffusion of innovation theory was used to reviewinstructional innovations. According to the theory of diffusion at the beginning an innovation is adopted by pioneers. If the results of application of such an innovation are positive, it would be adopted by others. As an innovation is adopted more and more, remaining people who havent adopted the innovation decrease, so that the rate of adoption would reduce until another innovation replaces the previous one. A historical overview of the instructional innovations in the past few decades shows that popular innovations such as programmed instruction and educational television follow a bell shaped curve. Indeed (in the beginning), the rate of adoptions of these innovations increases, but after a short period, the rate decreased. A new popular innovation, electronic learning, followed such models. Despite its attraction, new findings indicate that e-learning projects are declining.