Activity theory as a potential framework for humancomputer interaction research. Technology as an activity system for selfdirected, expanding. Activity theory as a potential framework for technology research in an unequal terrain j. In other words, activity theory can be considered a theoretical tool for making changes and providing real support for human development through formative experiments and social designs for new activity systems. Vygotskys mediated action triangle is the first generation of activity theory. Activity theory as a potential framework for human computer interaction research. The perceived barriers to, and facilitators of, effective multiagency working are explored in relation to their potential impact upon the process of engaging service users in change. Culturalhistorical activity theory chat is one of several practice based approaches that provides a robust framework for analyzing professional work practices, incl uding social service provision julkunen, 2011, 20. Introduction to activity theory applied to a work context. Pdf activity theory as a potential framework for humancomputer. Kuutti points to activity theory as a potential answer. South african journal of higher education, 192, p378. City research online social interactions of computer. Activity theory as a framework for humantechnology.
Activity theory, authentic learning and emerging technologies. We propose using activity theory as a basis for designing and reporting on research projects that focus on information and communication technology ict as a means to support educational processes. In a debate within hci research the capability of information processing psychology has been questioned and new theoretical frameworks searched. Activity theory is neither focused on activities in general nor is it an explicit theory in the sense that it leads to predictive result. In a debate within the hci research community, the capability of information processing psychology has been questioned and new theoretical frameworks considered. The purpose of this discussion is to consider the potential of sociocultural theory as the basis for a broader metatheoretical framework to understand the interrelationship between macro and micro analyses of policy and practice within lpp. Activity theory offers a structured framework that considers the game not as an. Purpura, in security and loss prevention sixth edition, 20.
Activity theory as a potential framework for human. Toward a third generation of activity theory activity theory provides a powerful framework for analyzing and understanding the social. This research afforded the group the opportunity to explore the easeofuse of an activity theory model and a mediating artifacts hierarchy and to experiment with their application. Activity theory as a framework for designing constructivist learning environments. Some of the traces of the theory in its inception can also be found in a. Citeseerx activity theory as a potential framework for.
Activity theory shifts attention to the social and cultural factors that mediate development in particular contexts, thus allowing an understanding of how particular preservice and inservice environments guide earlycareer. The purpose of this article is to argue that activity theory provides an important perspective on the problem of developing practices which are frequently observed to be desirable but remain difficult to develop. Central concepts of activity theory culturalhistorical activity theory looks at artifacts and people as embedded in dynamic activity systems figure 1. Educational technology research and development, 471, 6179. In this area of studies the theory of gradual development of human intellectual activitycan be used to understand the child ability to manage the interpersonal situation. Pdf activity theory as a potential framework for technology. Culturalhistorical activity theory chat is a theoretical framework which helps to understand and analyse the relationship between the human mind what people think and feel and activity what people do.
Citeseerx document details isaac councill, lee giles, pradeep teregowda. This team chose to apply aspects of activity theory in order to identify user needs. This theory includes the routine activities of both offender and victim. This chapter presents an overview of the situation and discusses the potential of activity theory as an alternative framework for hci research and design. This article attempts to expand and elaborate activity theory as a theory for studying human computer interaction in south africa. Chat has potential utility for analyzing healthcare and social service provider. This paper presents an overview of the situation and discusses potentials of activity theory as an alternative framework for hci research and design. This paper argues that activity theory provides an appropriate framework for analyzing needs, tasks, and outcomes for designing cles. Activity theory is not a black and white set of rules, but a framework for understanding. The epistemic assumptions of constructive learning are different from those of traditional instruction, so classical methods of needs and task analysis are inappropriate for designing constructivist learning environments cles. Hardman university of cape town, rondebosch, south africa email. The theory was virtually unknown in the western world until the 1980s but since then it has continued to evolve, mostly through the work of psychologists like yrjo engestrom. Activity theory as a framework for humantechnology interaction research.
Adopting the theory, we describe teachinglearning activities mediated by ict using a three level analysis. A versatile framework for workplace research david dayton during the past decade activity theory has attracted a small but influential group of researchers in two fields that contribute to theory and research in technical communication. Appropriating conceptual and pedagogical tools for. Activity theory as a potential framework for technology. Activity theory provides a framework of four interactive components from which strategy emerges. Activity theory as a potential framework for technology research in an unequal terrain. We propose using activity theory as a basis for designing and reporting on research projects that focus on information. This paper describes the use of activity theory to compare dissimilar cases in a study of adult online music learners. This paper proposes that activity theory provides a useful framework for studying the conceptual development of teachers, particularly englishlanguage arts teachers. An activity theorybased model for serious games analysis. In this article i will discuss the potential that activity theory offers for analysing and rethinking collaborative practice in schools. Activity theory was used as a framework for the study to account for the systems that link mathematics, learning and the differing social milieus. There exists a hierarchical analysis of motivated human action levels of activity analysis. Resources on this site are free to download and reuse according to associated licensing.
In order to demonstrate the applicability of activity theory in analysing computermediated social interactions, an exploratory study of online activities in a game community was conducted. Activity theory and the transformation of pedagogic practice. An activity theory framework for extreme events usc marshall. This chapter presents an overview of the situation and discusses the potential of activity theory as. The purpose of the study was to better understand the barriers that keep selfmotivated users of online open education resources from experiencing successful independent learning. The paper concludes with a consideration of the issues this raises for methodology in the study of lpp. Presentation on activity theory linkedin slideshare.
The application of activity theory in identifying contradictions in a. Cultural historical activity theory is a new framework aimed at transcending the dichotomies of micro and macro, mental and material, observation and. It traces its origins to the founders of the culturalhistorical school of russian psychology l. Barriers to selfmotivated conceptual music learning.
Activity theory as a potential framework for humancomputer interaction research kari kuutti in recent years the mainstream framework for humancomputer interaction researchinformation processing cognitive psychologyhas come under increasing criticism because of serious problems in applying it in both research and practical design. Activity analysis as a method for information systems development. The actions that take place within a mat are analysed from the systemic perspective of sociocultural activity theory at, and supported by examples drawn from. People are socioculturally embedded actors not processors or system components. Activity theory as a potential framework for humancomputer interaction research readings 09.
Activity theory and humancomputer interaction, 1744. At a later time it was advocated for and popularized by alexei leontev. Pdf activity theory as a potential framework for human. Some implications of activity theory and its bridging potential are pursued in the contexts of io theoryconstruction and research methods, and in the substantive problem areas of job design,job. Activity theory refers to the psychology developed originally by soviet thinkers starting with lev vygotsky in the 1920s and subsequently articulated further by later soviet psychologists, notably alexei leontyev. Activity theory is a framework or descriptive tool for a system. Instead, it is more of a framework for clearly describing and breaking down work and for understanding a. Citeseerx 2 activity theory as a potential framework for. Activity theory and developmental work research, po box 47, 00014 university of helsinki, finland keywords. If we think of a designer as the subject of her design work, the initial object would be an idea, order or assignment that triggers the design process.
Activity theory as a theoretical framework for health self. Galperins theory of gradual development of human intellectual activity for studying social cognition in children. A theoretical analysis of the barriers and facilitators to. Driving principles of third generation activity theory are a collective, artifactmediated and objectoriented activity system, seen in its network relations to other activity systems, is taken as the prime unit of analysis. The paper is devoted to analysis of the potential of p.
During the recent years the mainstream framework for hci research the informationprocessing cognitive psychology has gained more and more criticism. Activity theory, situated action models, and distributed cognition are evolving frameworks and will change and grow as each is exercised with empirical study. A sociocultural framework for language policy and planning. In this chapter i ask where each approach seems to be headed and what its emphases and perspectives are. Activity theory as a potential framework for technology research activity theory as a potential framework for technology research in an unequal terrain in an unequal.
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