Website
Like I promised in the previous post, I made a website about the implementation of my master’s thesis, Activity manager. I will still post information about my master’s thesis in general on this blog but you can find all technical stuff on the activity manager on the new website.
Literature Review Finished
So, the first part of my master’s thesis is finished, printed and presented. I am currently working on a website for the Activity Manager but in the meanwhile you can check out the text and the presentation of the first part of my master’s thesis at this blog.
or
The Master Thesis
I am currently putting the last hands on the first part of my thesis. The thesis consist of 6 chapters:
Chapter 1: Introduction
The problem we are trying to unthread in this master thesis, is very simple to explain but extremely hard to solve. Moreover, the problem is situated at a high technology- and platform-independent level which makes the problem more substantial and fundamental. Computing devices have become ubiquitous and are integrated in knowledge work, entertainment and even culture. Most people however still use the personal computer as a main tool for work, communication and pleasure. Although these personal computers have changed over the years, the main source for human – computer interaction on these systems remain a combination of direct manipulation and windows, icons, menus and pointing devices (WIMP), or simply the desktop metaphor. The desktop metaphor has changed over the years and it is still the de facto in desktop computing. Despite this position, the desktop metaphor has many problems and limitations that restraints users in how they interact with data and services. Although the desktop metaphor has fundamental problems and inherent limitations, no valid alternatives for mainstream usage have been presented. Nevertheless, many of these problems and limitations are linked to the theoretical foundation of the desktop metaphor, cognitive psychology. Since the early nineties several alternative approaches for cognitive psychology have been presented. Theories such as activity theory, distributed cognition and situated actions try to complement the ideas posed by cognitive psychology.
In this thesis we will attempt to re-frame the desktop metaphor as an effort to overcome its limitations by using activity theory. Although new interaction models are perhaps more appropriate to overcome these problems on the long term, these new techniques lack unified theories and principles which designers need to build consistent and reliable systems. We believe that re-framing or extending the metaphor is a better solution for short term usage outside of the lab. Accordingly this master thesis can be considered as a contribution to this vision.
Chapter 2: Beyond The Desktop Metaphor
It is clear that the desktop metaphor has advantages but also many problems and limitations. The systems and application that try to solve these problems or to circumnavigate the limitations can be categorized in three approaches: extending the desktop metaphor, re-frame the desktop metaphor or design post-desktop models. Despite these proposed solutions, no valid alternative for the desktop metaphor has yet been found. We can however use these different approaches to define dimensions of change, that the solution for the problems and limitations of the desktop metaphor must meet.
Chapter 3: Theory and Human – Computer Interaction
In this chapter we discussed a brief history of HCI to prove that most models and concepts are in fact based on cognitive psychology. We also demonstrated that there are limitations to cognitive psychology that are the basis for rising criticism. A new approach to theorize HCI, based on ethnomethodology, is being pushed to the foreground. There are many candidate theories that match the criteria discussed in this chapter, one of these is activity theory.
Chapter 4: Activity Theory
In this chapter we discussed the basic principles and ideas behind activity theory and provide the reader with a historical background. We also demonstrate how the notion of activity theory influences interaction design and human – computer interaction and described several activity checklists. Although activity theory provides a precise insight in how human activity is structured, it remains a descriptive framework, lacking applicable rules and guidelines for interaction design. We therefore need to transform these concepts and ideas of activity theory to an interaction design framework.
Chapter 5: Activity Based Computing
In this chapter we discussed several systems and frameworks (like the Unified Activity Management) that are based on activity theory. We also demonstrated the relation between activity – based systems and context – awareness. We concluded this chapter with three basic principles that are the corner stones of all discussed activity – based systems. These principles will be the foundation of the system that we are developing in the second part of my master thesis.
Chapter 6 Activity Manager
I am currently working on this chapter but in this last chapter we will present our research question and an overview of how we plan to address this question.
References
I’ve updated the reference list. You can see all reference [here].
If you would like to read a draft version of my master thesis you may contact me via email or via this blog.
Principles of Activity Theory
I am currently working on chapter 2 and 3 of my thesis. I am not sure yet in what order these chapters will appear in the final draft but currently chapter 2 is about “Activity Theory” and chapter 3 is about ” Theories in HCI and interaction design”. The following text is an excerpt of a paragraph of chapter 2 of my draft and pretty much summarizes that chapter.
This is work in progress so forgive me for spelling errors etc.
Principles of Activity Theory
Perhaps the best way to define activity theory is by defining a set of properties or principles. These principles are not independent properties of activity but are a unity that represent activity.
The hierarchical structure of activity
Subject – object relation, or the broad definition of activity, is a dynamic hierarchical structure that is build from different
components. It is composed of higher – level motive-oriented human activities, mid – level conscious goal – driven actions and lower – level automated operations that occur when certain conditions are met. A subject – object relation can have multiple activities that are composed of multiple actions that are, in their turn, composed of multiple actions and operations. This hierarchy is not fixed as all levels have the capability to be transformed to an other level. These processes, automatization and deautomatization, allows activity to adapt to the development of the human mind.
Object – orientedness
“All human activities are directed toward their object”. Human beings have the possibility to act in the world (agency)
and everything human beings do is directed to something in that world. From that point of view it is important to include these objects into the analysis of the human mind. These objects direct how human beings interact with the world by affordances and resistance. Although they shape our world and how we interact with the world, they don’t shape human activity but influence the relation between the subject and object. Objects can be physical tangible things, like a ball or a knife, but they can also be ideal things, like the urge to become filthy rich. Object - orientedness means that human beings live in a broad objective reality that consist out of a combination of properties defined by objective natural sciences and properties that are defined by social structures and cultural influences. Objectives are a concept that concretizes object – orientedness.
Internalization – externalization
Internalization and externalization are processes that relate the human mind to social structures and cultural influences. These processes take place in two dimensions: internal – external and individual – collective. Although these dimensions are heavily interwoven, they have the ability the function individually.
Mediation
Tool mediation is a way of including social and cultural factors into an activity. Tools are used to shape and help develop the interaction of human beings with the world but they are also a reflection of human experience. The properties of tools are the reflection of this experiences. Tools are an integral part of the subject – object relation and, like the subject and the object, are also transform by the development of activity. Tools are a social – cultural connection between human beings and the objective world. They define how human being interacts with the world.
Development
Activity theory emphasizes the usage of development not only as an object of analysis but also as an general research
methodology. First of all, activity is not a static concept but rather a dynamic evolving structure that is constantly
developing. Although activities are based on social, cultural and historical factors, each activity has an history of its own. This history is embed into the activity and is transmitted into the object and tools. Secondly development is also used as a research methodology. Unlike other psychological approaches activity theory combines monitoring with active participation. This means that a researcher may advise or help the subject while conducting an experiment.In this context the researcher is a representation of cultural and social factors. Activity theory doesn’t prescribe any research method, it suggests that a method is chosen that works best for a specific context.
Next time I’ll be discussing theories in HCI and interaction design.
The Desktop Metaphor
Introduction
One of my main inspiration sources for my thesis proposal was a small literature review we (Dennis Gommé [4] and I) did for the course “Recent trends in Human-Computer Interaction” [1] about ” Beyond the desktop metaphor”. Since the central problem that I’m trying to address in my master thesis originates from this context I wrote a small paper about this subject. This paper has actually multiple purposes. It is:
- a blueprint for an introductory chapter of my thesis;
- an exercise in English writing (as I am planning on writing my thesis in English);
- and an experiment with LaTeX [2] and BibTeX [3].
The Desktop Metaphor
The desktop metaphor is showing cracks as its problems and limitations are constraining users’ action. This paper describes three ways in which these problems can be addressed: extend the desktop metaphor, re-frame the desktop metaphor and design alternatives interaction models or post-desktop models. Seven dimensions can be extracted from these proposals as a guideline for future development.
Although the desktop metaphor has fundamental problems and inherent limitations, no valid alternatives for mainstream usage have been presented. For my master thesis subject I decided to reframe the desktop metaphor as an effort to overcome its limitations. Although new interaction models are perhaps more appropriate to overcome these problems on the long term, these new techniques lack unified theories and principles which designers can use to build consistent and reliable systems. I believe that a reframe or extension of the metaphor is a better solution for short term usage outside of the lab. Accordingly my master thesis can be considered as a contribution to this vision.
This paper is work in progress so I would appreciate feedback and comments (preferably by email) 
. All references used in this paper (and future papers) are also mentioned on the reference page of this website.
References
[1] “Recent Trends in HCI”, http://didactiekinf.uhasselt.be/athci/
[2] LaTeX, http://www.latex-project.org/
[3] BibTeX, http://www.bibtex.org/
[4] Dennis Gommé, http://www.letsmasterit.net/
Books about Activity Theory in Human – Computer Interaction
Introduction
The first part of my master thesis includes research about how psychological meta theories like Activity Theory and Distributed Cognition can be used in Human – Computer Interaction (HCI). Before one can draw any conclusions about the interaction between these theories and HCI it is important to find a clear description of these models. After doing some preliminary research on the best sources for Activity theory in HCI, I found two main sources I want to use as a starting point.
First of all I discovered the work of Prof. Dr. Bonnie A. Nardi [1] and Prof. Dr. V. Kaptelinin[2]. After closer investigation I found that Nardi is considered a world authority on Activity Theory in HCI so it made sense to use her work as a guide throughout this part of the literature review. Luckily for me, she contributed to two magnificent books that summarize what Activity Theory is and how it can be applied in HCI.[4][5]
Secondly Jo Vermeulen (one of my supervisors) mentioned the book “Plans and situated actions: the problem of human-machine communication” [6] by Prof. Dr. L. A. Suchman [3]. It is referenced by 4252 scientific documents [7], including most papers about Activity theory in HCI. In her book she provides an anthropological analyses and interpretation of human -machine interaction. I found numerous sources that claim that every HCI researcher or designer should read this book, so it seemed a nice starting point for my literature review.
The Books
“Context and Consciousness” [4] by Bonnie A Nardi
The book is divided into three sections: Activity Theory Basics, Activity Theory in Practical Design, and Activity Theory: Theoretical Development. Nardi as editor provides both useful summary introductions to each section as well as beginning and ending essays that contextualize activity theory within the broader field of HCI research. Although Nardi’s other contributions to the book demonstrate that she is an ardent proponent of activity theory, her introduction and conclusion provide a balanced view of the promise of activity theory.
Mary E. Brenner
“Acting with Technology” [5] by Victor Kaptelinin and Bonnie A Nardi
This new book strengthens two important aspects that were not elaborated on previously. First, the authors talked about Activity Theory not only in a sense of what it is but also “why” it is. Second, the book illustrates a collection of design examples that were designed based on or informed by Activity Theory. These examples demonstrated how Activity Theory can be applied in practice to a good extent.
Yang lee
“Human -Machine Reconfiguration” [6] by Lucy Suchman
This book considers how agencies are currently figured at the human-machine interface, and how they might be imaginatively and materially reconfigured. Contrary to the apparent enlivening of objects promised by the sciences of the artificial, the author proposes that the rhetorics and practices of those sciences work to obscure the performative nature of both persons and things. The question then shifts from debates over the status of human-like machines, to that of how humans and machines are enacted as similar or different in practice, and with what theoretical, practical and political consequences. Drawing on recent scholarship across the social sciences, humanities and computing, the author argues for research aimed at tracing the differences within specific sociomaterial arrangements without resorting to essentialist divides. This requires expanding our unit of analysis, while recognizing the inevitable cuts or boundaries through which technological systems are constituted.
Cambridge
References
[1] Bonnie A. Nardi, Personal Home Page, http://darrouzet-nardi.net/bonnie/
[2] Victor Kaptelinin, Academic Home Page, http://www.informatik.umu.se/~vklinin/
[3] Lucy A. Suchman, Academic Home Page, http://www.lancs.ac.uk/fass/sociology/profiles/31/
[4] Bonnie A. Nardi, Context and Consciousness: Activity Theory and Human-Computer Interaction, http://mitpress.mit.edu/catalog/item/default.asp?ttype=2&tid=8085
[5] Victor Kaptelinin, Bonnie A Nardi, Acting with Technology, http://mitpress.mit.edu/catalog/item/default.asp?ttype=2&tid=11004
[6] Lucy Sushman, Human -Machine Reconfiguration, http://www.cambridge.org/us/catalogue/catalogue.asp?isbn=052167588X
[7] Google Scholar, http://scholar.google.be/scholar?cites=7478352223611170224&hl=nl&as_sdt=2000
Master Thesis Subject
Introduction
As most of you probably know I am currently studying Computer Science – Human Computer Interaction at Hasselt University. For my master thesis I decided to write my own proposal about Activity-based computing [1]. My proposal was accepted! A big thanks to Jo Vermeulen for advice and references.
Activity-based computing
Although Activities have already been researched extensively both in context of the classic desktop model and in context of post-desktop models like ubiquitous computing or mobile computing, there is currently no clear definition for an activity. An activity could be defined as a physical movement, an intellectual execution of a task or assignment, the sum of tasks in a specific context or other. In the first part of this master thesis I am going to investigate if and how the definition and organisation of activities can be influenced by context (change and evolution).
- What is an activity? What is context?
- How can an activity be adapted by change or evolution?
- Can activities be extracted from context?
Part of this research is the discussion of different cognitive psychology theories like activity theory, distributed cognition, information processing,… How can activity theories be used to decrease the complexity of human-computer interaction?[2-7]
Context and awarenessThe second part of this research is the discussion of context and awareness. What is the correlation between activities and context? Does the user’s perception of an activity change when the context changes? How can the definition and organisation of activities be adapted to the changed perception?[8-9]
Literature review of Activity-based computingThe last part of this research is a literature review of activity-based computing.[10-17]
Context-aware Activity Manager
For the second part of this master thesis I am going to implement a Context-aware activity manager. This manager has two main purposes. First of all it needs to support the organisation of activities in a desktop environment. The user can create, modify, delete, exchange data between and switch between activities. Secondly the manager also needs to analyse the system data and user actions. This data can be used to:
- recognize existing activities in a (non-activity-based) work flow
- recognize new activities
- adapt existing activities based on recurrent user action ….
Advisors
Advisor: Prof. dr. Kris Luyten [18]
Co-Advisor: Prof. dr. Karin Coninx [19]
Supervisors: Jo Vermeulen[20] en Nasim Mahmud[21]
References
[1] Steven Houben, Master Thesis proposal (dutch), http://anxma.com/steven/stevenhoubenthesisvoorstel.pdf
[2] Bødker,Susanne. 1991. Through the Interface: A Human Activity Approach to User Interface Design
[3] Ryder,Martin. Activity Theory:http://carbon.ucdenver.edu/~mryder/itc/activity.html
[4] CHI 97, http://www.sigchi.org/chi97/proceedings/tutorial/bn.htm
[5] Nardi,Bonnie A. (1996). Context and Consciousness: Activity Theory and Human-computer Interaction. MIT Press, Cambridge
[6] Kaptelinin, V.; Nardi, Bonnie (2006). Acting with Technology: Activity Theory and Interaction Design. Cambridge
[7] Beyond the Desktop Metaphor: Designing Integrated Digital Work Environments. MIT Press, Cambridge, MA, 2007.
[8] Lucy A. Suchman, Plans and situated actions: the problem of human-machine communication, Cambridge University Press, New York, NY, 1987
[9] Bardram, Jakob E. (1987) Plans as Situated Action: An Activity Theory Approach to Workflow Systems.
[10] Stephen Voida , Elizabeth D. Mynatt , W. Keith Edwards, Re-framing the desktop interface around the activities of knowledge work, Proceedings of the 21st annual ACM symposium on User interface software and technology
[11] Jakob E. Bardram , Jonathan Bunde-Pedersen and Mads Soegaard (2006). Support for activity-based computing in a personal computing operating system
[12] ABC Framework, http://activity-based-computing.org/
[13] My Experience, http://myexperience.sourceforge.net/
[14] D. Austin Henderson, Jr. , Stuart Card, Rooms: the use of multiple virtual workspaces to reduce space contention in a window-based graphical user interface
[15] Voida, S., Mynatt, E.D. and MacIntyre, B. Supporting activity in desktop and ubiquitous computing.
[16] Beyond the Desktop Metaphor: Designing Integrated Digital Work Environments. MIT Press, Cambridge, MA, 2007.
[17] Activity Studio, http://activitystudio.sourceforge.net/
[18] Prof. dr. Kris Luyten, http://www.edm.uhasselt.be/people/show/kris.luyten
[19] Prof. dr. Karin Coninx, http://www.edm.uhasselt.be/people/show/karin.coninx
[20] Jo Vermeulen, http://www.edm.uhasselt.be/people/show/jo.vermeulen/, http://jozilla.net/
[21] Nasim Mahmud, http://www.edm.uhasselt.be/people/show/nasim.mahmud, http://research.edm.uhasselt.be/~nmahmud/
About
Name: Steven Houben
Location: Belgium
Interested in: General Computer Science, Human-Computer Interaction, Software Engineering, Psychology, Sociology, science and technology in general....Read More
