1. Activity theory – The user as a competent actor Activity theory: The user as a competent actor Daniel Pargman: lComputer and systems sciences, Uppsala University (1987-1992) lDept. of Communication Studies, Linköping University (1995-2000) lHCI specialist, Carlstedt Research & Technology, CR&T Ph.D. Thesis: “ Code begets community: On social and technical aspects of managing a virtual community ”

2. Activity theory – The user as a competent actor Daniel and Activity theory Ph.D. Course with Yrjö Engeström in Linköping 1996. Result = confusion. Five (5) years of thinking and struggle with activity theory. Result = avoided to use activity theory in my Ph.D. thesis. Ph.D. Course with Yrjö Engeström in Ronneby 2000. Result = much less confusion.

3. Activity theory – The user as a competent actor The basic mediational triangle lThe basic mediational triangle from cultural- historical psychology (Russia, 20’s and 30’s) l“Tools” are both physical/technical tools and psychological/mental tools (Vygotsky).

4. Activity theory – The user as a competent actor Cultural-historical (socio- cultural) psychology Social, cultural, historical and institutional factors play large role in human cognition and communication All higher mental functions have a social origin (Vygotsky). Action (both social and individual), can not be separated from the social, cultural, historical and institutional context in which it is carried out

5. Activity theory – The user as a competent actor From cultural-historical psychology to activity theory lFrom individuals to collective activities/activity systems (Leontiev, 1930’s) lFrom theories of collective activities (Leontiev) to Developmental Work Research, i.e. studies of concrete work activities (Engeström) lFrom text to graphics (Engeström) lFrom verbose to minimalist structure (Engeström)

6. Activity theory – The user as a competent actor Activity theory in context

7. Activity theory – The user as a competent actor The general structure of the animal form of activity

8. Activity theory – The user as a competent actor Mediation between subject and object The relation between the subject and the objects is regulated/mediated by tools

9. Activity theory – The user as a competent actor Mediation between subject and community The relation between the subject and the community is regulated/mediated by rules

10. Activity theory – The user as a competent actor Mediation between community and object The relation between the community and the object is regulated/mediated by a division of labor

11. Activity theory – The user as a competent actor The structure of human activity (Engeström 1987) Unit of analysis = activity

12. Activity theory – The user as a competent actor Terms lSubject: the individual/subgroup chosen as the point of view in the analysis. lTools: physical or psychological. lCommunity: individuals/subgroups who share the same general object. lDivision of labor: division of tasks between members of the community. lRules: explicit/implicit regulations, norms, conventions that constrains action/interaction lObject: “the ‘raw material’ or ‘problem space’ at which the activity is directed and which is molded or transformed into outcomes”

13. Activity theory – The user as a competent actor Contradictions, tensions, conflicts, breakdowns

14. Activity theory – The user as a competent actor Contradictions, tensions, conflicts, breakdowns Primary contradictions are dilemmas within components of the activity system. Secondary contradictions are dilemmas between components of the activity system. Tertiary contradictions are dilemmas between different activity system.

15. Activity theory – The user as a competent actor Contradictions, tensions, conflicts, breakdowns “When a strong novel factor is “injected” into one of the components and it thus acquires a new quality, pressing secondary contradictions appear between that component and some other components of the system. For example, when new types of patients begin to enter a medical activity system, the doctors’ material and conceptual tools for diagnosis and treatment may become inadequate Engeström, 1993, p.72

16. Activity theory – The user as a competent actor Contradictions, tensions, conflicts, breakdowns Indicators of “problems” within activity systems. However, only when problems make themselves known that are they possible to “treat”. Only by innovative solutions to surfacing systematic problems can an activity develop.

17. Activity theory – The user as a competent actor Managing a virtual community as an activity system

18. Activity theory – The user as a competent actor The user as a competent actor AT/DWR analyzes structural factors Thus, users are “always” competent and problems are “never” the fault of users. Problems instead depend on other factors, like systemic contradictions or mismatches between objects and artifacts etc. Problems that appear contain possibilities for their own solution.