UNIT & LESSON PLANNING

The Role of Activity Theory

Definition of Activity Theory

Activity theory views human cognition and behavior as tied to collectively organized artifact mediated acticvity systems. Activities are social practices oriented at objects. An entity becomes an object of activity when it meets a human need.

Activities

Activities are social practices that are goal oriented and mediated by artifacts (Engestrom, 1999; Beach, 2000; Wertsch, 1998)

Activity theory in action reveals gaps in prior knowledge (dialogic)

Mediating Artifacts Mediating artifacts are tools and signs

both external as well as mental models. Their functions and uses are in constant flux as the activity unfolds. Problem solving then is a collaborative activity that is dialogic. Different views collide and merge….

Artifacts as Psychological Tools

Symbolic devices (texts, formulas, graphic organizers)

E.g. “Elvis always did go broke eating (E, A, D, G, B, E) & other mnemonic devices

Artifacts in Activity Theory

There are “no ideas but in things” (William Carlos Williams, 1949)

Artifacts shape discourse

Artifacts & practical activity center learning on the learner

William Carlos Williams

XXISo much dependsUponA red wheel barrowGlazed with rain

waterBeside the white

chickens

An Activity System

The object of the activity Its mediating artifacts Rules Community Division of labor

Reference

Engestrom, Y. (1999). Activity formation as an alternative strategy of instruction. In Y. Engestrom, R. Miettinen, & R. Punamaki (Eds.), PERSPECTIVES ON ACTIVITY THEORY (pp. 377-404). New York: Cambridge University Press.

Lessons Based on Activity Theory

The goal is to confront learners with: “phenomena, situations, and tasks going beyond their actual possibilities to such a degree that a problem situation can arise” (Lompsher, 1999, p. 268).

Important Lesson Elements: Prior knowledge is incomplete or flawed Students collectively engage in a goal-oriented

activity

Example Lesson-9th-Grade Health

ACTIVITY: record your views of your current sleep patterns in a journal (artifact)

RESPONSE: keep a sleep pattern diary charting hours of sleep each night

CONTEXT: small group discussion of charted sleep patterns & Internet resources on sleep patterns

CONCEPTS: limited sleep = lowered concentration etc. (posters, presentations etc.)

Sleep Deprivation

Effects of sleep deprivationlower concentrationless learningdangers in driving

Mediating Artifacts(horse lead rope)

Tie Up a Horse

Scenario: A large quarter horse has wandered into the room and your task is to tie-it safely

Two volunteers (one to tie the horse, the other represents the horse)

Observers

Rubric for Horse Tie Activity

2 the horse is safely tied with a quick release knot

1 the horse is tied with a non-quick release knot

0 the horse is left to roam free and may panic

ARCC

A lesson and unit framework to guide planning, reflection, and evaluation

Student inquiry is crucial in problem-based learning

Critical literacy elements should be incorporated when appropriate (e.g. history, English, science etc.)

ARCC

ARCC is a lesson framework denoting: Activity (select activity and artifacts) Response (select mode of response) Context (use dyads or small groups;

consider group dynamics) Concepts (Identify key concepts to be

learned)

Steering a Windsurfer

You need to guide your windsurfer out of harms way…

A large ship is headed toward you

How can you steer your board out of the ship’s path?

Reference

Bean, T. W. (2002). Text comprehension: Navigating students’ prior knowledge in content teaching. In C. Roller (Ed.), READING RESEARCH 2001. Newark, DE: International Reading Association.