Task 10: Applying activity theory in practice

To compare NIE (New interactive environments 2010) and PLENK (Personal learning environments networks and knowledge 2010) the main differences and similarities between these two courses from the activity theory point of view can be used.

The subjects in both cases are students. By looking closely at both courses we can see that the content of them is quite similar, so the object and outcome also are the same in both cases – knowledge about interactive environments and networks.

Both courses use many tools for the student to help to obtain the knowledge. These tools can be seen as instruments from activity theory point of view. Both courses are web based and most of the tools as well, so the instruments are similar. However, there are some minor differences between the choices of them, for example, PLENK uses mostly Wiki, Forums and Newsletters, but NIE uses blogs and Voip. This difference can be explained by very different course sizes – PLENK has nearly 900 students, but NIE has only 27. So the choice of the best tools is different in both cases.

The rules a student needs to follow also vary across both courses. NIE has more individual approach and has such rules as assignment deadlines, demands of active participation, and general rules, for example, internet protocol rules when posting a blog entry and ethical norms. PLENK’s approach is more distanced. The rules are to attend the sessions, read all the newsletters and assigned readings on time. The creators of the course also stress out the need for the student to be interested in the course and willing to participate.

The main difference between the students and faculties communities are the countries both courses take place – Canada and Estonia. Otherwise both communities can be seen as almost identical.

The division of labour in both cases is also very similar and follows the grid of the faculty.

The main conclusion of this analysis is that by applying activity theory to two cases that may seem very different at the beginning we can structure our thoughts better and also see many similarities between them. Thus the activity theory is a useful and powerful analytical tool in many fields of study.