Center for Activity Theory and Developmental Work Research 2000 1 Using Activity Theory to Help...

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Center for Activity Theory and Developmental Work Research 2000 1 Using Activity Theory to Help Teachers Redesign their Practice Yrjö Engeström University of Helsinki Center for Activity Theory and Developmental Work Research

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Page 1: Center for Activity Theory and Developmental Work Research 2000 1 Using Activity Theory to Help Teachers Redesign their Practice Yrjö Engeström University.

Center for Activity Theory and Developmental Work Research 2000 1

Using Activity Theory to Help Teachers Redesign their Practice

Yrjö EngeströmUniversity of Helsinki

Center for Activity Theory and Developmental Work Research

Page 2: Center for Activity Theory and Developmental Work Research 2000 1 Using Activity Theory to Help Teachers Redesign their Practice Yrjö Engeström University.

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The Site

• A Junior High School in Helsinki, Finland

• More than 30% of the students from recent immigrant or refugee families

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The Intervention• Change Laboratory: 11 weekly meetings in the fall 1998 and winter 1999

• 26 teachers and research group– analyzed contradictions– constructed a vision – designed concrete steps toward the vision for the activity system of the

school

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Focus of this presentation

• One concrete step: putting computers in the corridors for students to use during recess

• Part of improving the physical work environment of the school

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Expansive cycle of learning

4. Examiningthe new model

3. Designing anew model

5. Implementingthe new model

6. Reflecting onthe process

7. Consolidating thenew practice

2. Analyzingcontradictions

1. Need state /ethnography

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4. Examiningthe new model

3. Designing anew model

5. Implementingthe new model

6. Reflecting onthe process

7. Consolidating thenew practice

2. Analyzingcontradictions

1. Need state /ethnography

Ethnographic documentation

Ethnographic documentation

Ethnographic documentation

4. Examiningthe new model

3. Designing anew model

5. Implementingthe new model

6. Reflecting onthe process

7. Consolidating thenew practice

2. Analyzingcontradictions

1. Need state /ethnography

Page 7: Center for Activity Theory and Developmental Work Research 2000 1 Using Activity Theory to Help Teachers Redesign their Practice Yrjö Engeström University.

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Fall 1998:

”There is nothing to do…and no place to sit!”

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QuickTime™ jaDV - PAL pakkauksen purkuohjelmatarvitaan elokuvan katselemiseen.

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Students:

”They could put a computer there…

… but it wouldn’t stay there for long”

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QuickTime™ jaDV - PAL pakkauksen purkuohjelmatarvitaan elokuvan katselemiseen.

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4. Examiningthe new model

3. Designing anew model

5. Implementingthe new model

6. Reflecting onthe process

7. Consolidating thenew practice

2. Analyzingcontradictions

1. Need state /ethnography

4. Examiningthe new model

3. Designing anew model

5. Implementingthe new model

6. Reflecting onthe process

7. Consolidating thenew practice

2. Analyzingcontradictions

1. Need state /ethnography

Mirror

MirrorMirror

Ethnographic documentation

Ethnographic documentation

Page 12: Center for Activity Theory and Developmental Work Research 2000 1 Using Activity Theory to Help Teachers Redesign their Practice Yrjö Engeström University.

Center for Activity Theory and Developmental Work Research 2000 12

QuickTime™ jaDV - PAL pakkauksen purkuohjelmatarvitaan elokuvan katselemiseen.

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Novice teacher:

”There were computers in the corridor of my

previous school”

CHANGE LAB SESSION 2

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QuickTime™ jaDV - PAL pakkauksen purkuohjelmatarvitaan elokuvan katselemiseen.

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4. Examiningthe new model

3. Designing anew model

5. Implementingthe new model

6. Reflecting onthe process

7. Consolidating thenew practice

2. Analyzingcontradictions

1. Need state /ethnography

Benchmarking and sharpening of contrasts

Benchmarking and sharpening of contrasts

Benchmarking and sharpening of contrasts

4. Examiningthe new model

3. Designing anew model

5. Implementingthe new model

6. Reflecting onthe process

7. Consolidating thenew practice

2. Analyzingcontradictions

1. Need state /ethnography

MirrorMirror

Ethnographic documentation

Ethnographic documentation

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”Students use computers

during recess, no problems”

Computer teacher from another Junior High School:

CHANGE LAB SESSION 3

Page 17: Center for Activity Theory and Developmental Work Research 2000 1 Using Activity Theory to Help Teachers Redesign their Practice Yrjö Engeström University.

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QuickTime™ jaDV - PAL pakkauksen purkuohjelmatarvitaan elokuvan katselemiseen.

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4. Examiningthe new model

3. Designing anew model

5. Implementingthe new model

6. Reflecting onthe process

7. Consolidating thenew practice

2. Analyzingcontradictions

1. Need state /ethnography

Documentation of resistance and innovation

4. Examiningthe new model

3. Designing anew model

5. Implementingthe new model

6. Reflecting onthe process

7. Consolidating thenew practice

2. Analyzingcontradictions

1. Need state /ethnography

Documentation of resistance and innovation

Documentation of resistance and innovation

Benchmarking and sharpening of contrasts

Benchmarking and sharpening of contrasts

MirrorMirror

Ethnographic documentation

Ethnographic documentation

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Contradiction I:

Apathy vs. Energy

CHANGE LAB SESSION 3

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QuickTime™ jaDV - PAL pakkauksen purkuohjelmatarvitaan elokuvan katselemiseen.

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Contradiction II:

Control vs. Trust

CHANGE LAB SESSION 3

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QuickTime™ jaDV - PAL pakkauksen purkuohjelmatarvitaan elokuvan katselemiseen.

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Contradictions in the activity system

INSTRUMENTS:Control vs. trust

RULES:Schedules andtimetables

COMMUNITY:School

DIVISION OF LABOR:School subjects andgrade levels

SUBJECT:

TeacherOBJECT:

Student as apathetic vs.student as energetic

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Teacher:

”It’s not impossible but…”

CHANGE LAB SESSION 9

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QuickTime™ jaDV - PAL pakkauksen purkuohjelmatarvitaan elokuvan katselemiseen.

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4. Examiningthe new model

3. Designing anew model

5. Implementingthe new model

6. Reflecting onthe process

7. Consolidating thenew practice

2. Analyzingcontradictions

1. Need state /ethnography

Documentation of change

Documentation of change

Documentation of change

4. Examiningthe new model

3. Designing anew model

5. Implementingthe new model

6. Reflecting onthe process

7. Consolidating thenew practice

2. Analyzingcontradictions

1. Need state /ethnography

Documentation of resistance and innovation

Documentation of resistance and innovation

Benchmarking and sharpening of contrasts

Benchmarking and sharpening of contrasts

MirrorMirror

Ethnographic documentation

Ethnographic documentation

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A year later:

The computers are there!(and so are the sofas)

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QuickTime™ jaDV - PAL pakkauksen purkuohjelmatarvitaan elokuvan katselemiseen.

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Thank You!