Adoption of Māori digitised resources by polytechnic Māori students and staff

Abstract

Research problem: Little is known about Māori digitised resources. The objective of this research was to explore the factors that influence Māori students’ and staff decisions to use or not use Māori digitised resources within a polytechnic and to examine the ways in which they are used and identify the reasons for their use.

Methodology: An indigenous paradigm called Kaupapa Māori research and the Māori Tertiary Education Framework were used to investigate the viewpoints of the participants. Additionally, Rogers’ diffusion of innovations theory was used to understand aspects about how and why participants adopt and use digitised resources. Semi-structured interviews were used to gather data from a purposive sample of five Māori students and four Māori staff.

Results: Several factors such as teaching Māori research, learning Te Reo Māori and personal reasons positively influenced the attitude of individuals to enjoy using Māori digitised resources. Most individuals felt comfortable using them and several suggestions were made around improving their use and these included training, technologies enhancements and further investigation.

Implications: The digital shift from using traditional methods to using the internet to find and use Māori digitised resources is having an effect on library users. It has changed the way Māori have access to Māori digitised resources and will continue to influence how Māori students and staff learn.

Further investigation should be undertaken to see how Māori students and staff at other New Zealand polytechnics and University use Māori digitised resources.