(In)visible technology: appropriation in professional training
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Published
Jul 9, 2015
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Abstract
In this paper we explore evolution in the appropriation of virtual environments during the training of an individual female SME entrepreneur. The subject is participating in a project devoted to innovation of organizational practices for enhanced sustainability and the exchange of so-called “externalities”. In this investigation we distinguish between technology as the object of activity and technology as tool, and identify three utilization schemas: usage schema, instrument-mediated action schema and instrument-mediated collective activity schema. The investigation highlights the prompting role of the researcher conducting the training and the substantial difference between the narrated and acted levels of technology utilization. The findings show that technology appropriation is not necessarily a linear process proceeding from one usage schema to the next. Moreover, technology did not become an “invisible” instrument for the participant s activity. Moving up to the next schema level called for strong mediation through dialogue with the researcher, and appropriation of the schemas was often more visible in the participant’s narrative account than in her technology-mediated actions.
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References
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Fictner, B. (1999). Activity theory as methodology: The epistemological revolution of the computer and the problem of its societal appropriation. Aarhus, DK: Aarhus University Press.
Hasu, M., & Engeström, Y. (2000). Measurement in action: an activitytheoretical perspective on producer-user interaction. International Journal of Human- Computer Studies, 53(1), 61-89.
Mazzoni, E. (2006). Dallo sviluppo degli artefatti web all’evolversi delle attività umane. I processi del cambiamento. Perugia, IT: Morlacchi.
Norman, D. A. (1998). The invisible computer: Why good products can fail, the personal computer is so complex, and information appliances are the solution. Cambridge, MA: The MIT press.
Overdijk, M., & Van Diggelen, W. (2008). Appropriation of a shared workspace: Organizing principles and their application. International Journal of Computer- Supported Collaborative Learning, 3(2), 165-192.
Rabardel, P. (1995). Les hommes et les technologies, une approche cognitive des instruments contemporains. Paris, FR: Armand Colin.
Riva, G. (2002). Web usability revisited: A situated approach. Psychology, 1(1), 18-27.
Spinuzzi, C. (2003). Tracing genres through organizations: A sociocultural approach to information design. Cambridge, MA: The MIT Press.
Tuomi, I. (2002). Networks of innovation. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press. Zucchermaglio, C. (1996). Vygotskij in azienda. Apprendimento e comunicazione nei contesti di lavoro. Roma, IT: La Nuova Italia Scientifica.
Bassey, M. (1999). Case study research in educational settings. New York, NY: McGraw- Hill.
Beguin, P., & Rabardel, P. (2005). Instrument mediated activity: From subject development to anthropocentric design. Theoretical Issues in Ergonomics Science, 6(5), 429-461.
Bithas, K. (2011). Sustainability and externalities: Is the internalization of externalities a sufficient condition for sustainability?. Ecological Economics, 70(10), 1703-1706.
Carroll, J., Howard, S., Vetere, F., Peck, J., & Murphy, J. (2002). Just what do the youth of today want? Technology appropriation by young people. Proceedings of the 35th Annual Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences (HICSS’02) (pp. 131-132). Washington, DC: IEEE Computer Society Press.
De Sanctis, G., & Poole, M. S. (1994). Capturing the complexity in advanced technology use: adaptive structuration theory. Organization Science, 5(2), 121-145.
Fictner, B. (1999). Activity theory as methodology: The epistemological revolution of the computer and the problem of its societal appropriation. Aarhus, DK: Aarhus University Press.
Hasu, M., & Engeström, Y. (2000). Measurement in action: an activitytheoretical perspective on producer-user interaction. International Journal of Human- Computer Studies, 53(1), 61-89.
Mazzoni, E. (2006). Dallo sviluppo degli artefatti web all’evolversi delle attività umane. I processi del cambiamento. Perugia, IT: Morlacchi.
Norman, D. A. (1998). The invisible computer: Why good products can fail, the personal computer is so complex, and information appliances are the solution. Cambridge, MA: The MIT press.
Overdijk, M., & Van Diggelen, W. (2008). Appropriation of a shared workspace: Organizing principles and their application. International Journal of Computer- Supported Collaborative Learning, 3(2), 165-192.
Rabardel, P. (1995). Les hommes et les technologies, une approche cognitive des instruments contemporains. Paris, FR: Armand Colin.
Riva, G. (2002). Web usability revisited: A situated approach. Psychology, 1(1), 18-27.
Spinuzzi, C. (2003). Tracing genres through organizations: A sociocultural approach to information design. Cambridge, MA: The MIT Press.
Tuomi, I. (2002). Networks of innovation. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press. Zucchermaglio, C. (1996). Vygotskij in azienda. Apprendimento e comunicazione nei contesti di lavoro. Roma, IT: La Nuova Italia Scientifica.