1. 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

2. Center for Activity Theory and Developmental Work Research 2000 2 The Site A Junior High School in Helsinki, Finland More than 30% of the students from recent immigrant or refugee families

3. Center for Activity Theory and Developmental Work Research 2000 3 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

4. Center for Activity Theory and Developmental Work Research 2000 4 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

5. Center for Activity Theory and Developmental Work Research 2000 5 Expansive cycle of learning

6. Center for Activity Theory and Developmental Work Research 2000 6 Ethnographic documentation

7. Center for Activity Theory and Developmental Work Research 2000 7 Fall 1998: There is nothing to do …and no place to sit!

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9. 9 Students: They could put a computer there… … but it wouldnt stay there for long

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11. Center for Activity Theory and Developmental Work Research 2000 11 Mirror Ethnographic documentation

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13. Center for Activity Theory and Developmental Work Research 2000 13 Novice teacher: There were computers in the corridor of my previous school CHANGE LAB SESSION 2

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15. Center for Activity Theory and Developmental Work Research 2000 15 Benchmarking and sharpening of contrasts Mirror Ethnographic documentation

16. Center for Activity Theory and Developmental Work Research 2000 16 Students use computers during recess, no problems Computer teacher from another Junior High School: CHANGE LAB SESSION 3

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18. Center for Activity Theory and Developmental Work Research 2000 18 Documentation of resistance and innovation Benchmarking and sharpening of contrasts Mirror Ethnographic documentation

19. Center for Activity Theory and Developmental Work Research 2000 19 Contradiction I: Apathy vs. Energy CHANGE LAB SESSION 3

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21. Center for Activity Theory and Developmental Work Research 2000 21 Contradiction II: Control vs. Trust CHANGE LAB SESSION 3

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23. Center for Activity Theory and Developmental Work Research 2000 23 Contradictions in the activity system

24. Center for Activity Theory and Developmental Work Research 2000 24 Teacher: Its not impossible but… CHANGE LAB SESSION 9

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26. Center for Activity Theory and Developmental Work Research 2000 26 Documentation of change Documentation of resistance and innovation Benchmarking and sharpening of contrasts Mirror Ethnographic documentation

27. Center for Activity Theory and Developmental Work Research 2000 27 A year later: The computers are there! (and so are the sofas)

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29. Center for Activity Theory and Developmental Work Research 2000 29 Thank You!