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Medical Academic Education Unit School of Medicine. Activity System Analysis – a practical approach. John Sandars Senior Lecturer j.e.sandars@leeds.ac.uk. What is Activity System Analysis? How can it be used in e-learning research? How useful is this approach?. Activity Theory.
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Medical Academic Education Unit School of Medicine Activity System Analysis – a practical approach John Sandars Senior Lecturer j.e.sandars@leeds.ac.uk
What is Activity System Analysis? • How can it be used in e-learning research? • How useful is this approach?
Activity Theory Lev Vygotsky • Activity is object orientated • Action mediated through artifacts
ARTIFACT SUBJECT OBJECT
Activity Theory Alexei Leontiev Action within a wider socio-cultural context
Second Generation Activity System Yrjo Engestrom • Dynamic equilibrium • All components in balance
Artifacts Subject Object Outcome Rules Community Roles
Activity System Analysis Daisy Mwanza http://iet.open.ac.uk/pp/d.mwanza/ Step 1 Construct Step 2 Analyse Step 3 Interpretation Sandars J An activity theory perspective Work Based Learning in Primary Care (2005) 3 (4): 191-201
The eight step model to analyse nodes 1Identify the activity of interest What sort of activity am I interested in? 2 Object of activity Why is this activity taking place? 3 Subjects in this activityWho is involved in carrying out this activity? 4 Influence of artifacts on the activityBy what means are subjects carrying out this activity? 5 Rules mediating the activity?Are there any cultural norms, rules or regulations governing the performance of this activity? 6 Roles mediating the activityWho is responsible for what, when carrying out this activity and how are the roles organised? 7 Community in which the activity is conductedWhat is the environment in which this activity is carried out? 8 Outcome What is the desired outcome from carrying out this activity?
Using Activity System Analysis Three case studies - 2 Public health + 1 GP Online discussion boards • Semi-structured interviews on purposive sample • Content analysis of comments in discussion boards Sandars J, Langlois M On-line learning networks for general practitioners: evaluation of a pilot project Education for Primary Care (2005) 16 (6): 688-696
How useful? • Structured approach – practical tool • Highlights importance of social informatics • Identifies Socio-cultural / Organisational aspects
Practical exercise • Think of an activity system – an e-learning initiative that worked well …..or not so well! • Produce an activity system analysis • What did you find? • What can you learn by doing this?
The eight step model to analyse nodes 1Identify the activity of interest What sort of activity am I interested in? 2 Object of activity Why is this activity taking place? 3 Subjects in this activityWho is involved in carrying out this activity? 4 Influence of artifacts on the activityBy what means are subjects carrying out this activity? 5 Rules mediating the activity?Are there any cultural norms, rules or regulations governing the performance of this activity? 6 Roles mediating the activityWho is responsible for what, when carrying out this activity and how are the roles organised? 7 Community in which the activity is conductedWhat is the environment in which this activity is carried out? 8 Outcome What is the desired outcome from carrying out this activity?