Activity Theory Fall 2003 IST 331 Lecture 7

Activity Theory Fall 2003 IST 331 Lecture 7

Activity Theory u Powerful descriptive tool rather than a predictive theory u A set of perspectives on human activity u A set of concepts describing human activity

Activity Theory u Focus on the following: – Analysis & design for a particular work practice with concern for qualifications, work environment, division of work, etc. – Analysis & design with focus on actual use and the complexity of multiuser activity – Focus on the development of expertise and of use in general – Active user participation in design

Activity Theory u Offers a set of conceptual tools u Addresses more than – Individual skills, knowledge, and judgment – Not restricted to the “generic” human

Activity Theory u The appropriateness of a tool for a certain practice u How the introduction of an artifact changes practice u How practice may change the use of the artifact u Let’s think about a calculator

Activity Theory u Analyzing human activity has 3 characteristics: – It is directed toward a material or ideal object – It is mediated by artifacts – It is socially constituted within a culture

Activity Theory u Mediation u Internalization – externalization u Computer artifacts in a web of activities u Development u Group work on each component

Activity Theory u Apply the checklist developed by Bodker (1996) and Korpela et al. (2000) on pg. 315 - 316