Task 9: Exploring activity theory as a framework for describing activity systems

To gain a better knowledge of activity theory and activity systems, several sources were studied:

1. Kuuti, K. (1995). Activity theory as a potential framework for human-computer interaction research. In. B. Nardi (Ed.), Context and Consciousness: Activity Theory and Human Computer Interaction. Cambridge: MIT Press.

2. Uden, L., Valderas, P. & Pastor, O. (2008). An activity-theory-based model to analyse Web application requirements. Information Research, 13(2).

3. http://www.learning-theories.com/activity-theory.html

4. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Activity_theory

The first source (a journal article by Kuuti, K.) focuses on human-computer interaction (HCI) research. Activity theory is considered a potential framework for such studies. Kuuti merely provides an overview of the HCI related research and relevant criticism. He defines activity theory as:

"... a philosophical and cross-disciplinary framework for studying different forms of human practices as development processes, both individual and social levels interlinked at the same time."

Kuuti also defines the three key principles of activity theory:

- activities as basic units of analysis (minimal meaningful context for individual actions must be included in the basic unit of analysis)

- history and development (activities are not static or rigid unities but they and their elements are under continuous change and development)

- artifacts and mediation (an activity always contains various artifacts such as instruments, signs, procedures, machines, methods, laws, forms of work organization, etc.)

A visualization of the activity theory is provided as follows (courtesy of the internet):

Kuuti does not explain the essence of the activity theory very clearly, that's why an alternative visualization was provided (courtesy of the internet). The definition below the visualization makes things a lot clearer.

Since the goal was to explore activity theory as a framework for describing activity systems, we most certainly have to look into what Uden, L., Valderas, P. & Pastor, O had to say about it. Their journal article has a specific paragraph about "applying activity theory to the analysis of web application requirements." (More information available here: http://informationr.net/ir/13-2/paper340.html).

The best short summary regarding what the activity theory is about is located at this address: http://www.learning-theories.com/activity-theory.html