Physical and Virtual Tools: Activity Theory Applied to the Design of Groupware

Abstract

Abstract. Activity theory is based on the concept of tools mediating between subjects and objects. In this theory, an individual's creative interaction with his or her surroundings can result in the production of tools. When an individual's mental processes are exteriorized in the form of tools -termed objectification -they become more accessible to other people and are therefore useful for social interaction. This paper shows how our understanding of activity theory has shaped our design philosophy for groupware and how we have applied it. Our design philosophy and practice is exemplified by a description of the BUILD-IT system. This is an Augmented Reality system we developed to enhance group work; it is a kind of graspable groupware which supports cooperative planning. The system allows a group of people, co-located around a table, to interact, by means of physical bricks, with models in a virtual three-dimensional (3D) setting. Guided by task analysis, a set of specific tools for different 3D planning and configuration tasks was implemented as part of this system. We investigate both physical and virtual tools. These tools allow users to adjust model height, viewpoint, and scale of the virtual setting. Finally, our design practice is summarized in a set of design guidelines. Based on these guidelines, we reflect on our own design practice and the usefulness of activity theory for design.

Attention aware systems: Theories, applications, and research agenda

“…In particular, issues of social interaction and exchange with a physical environment, which are central to current activity theory, need to be reintegrated in the definition of reference tasks. Activity theory has already been applied to the design and analysis of interactive tasks in multi-user environments (see for example (Cluts, 2003;Fjeld et al, 2002)); therefore we believe that an extension of reference tasks in this direction would be feasible. Some of these applications advance models that appear particularly well suited for attention oriented task specification.…”

“…Some of these applications advance models that appear particularly well suited for attention oriented task specification. For example, the definitions given by Fjeld et al (2002) of goal oriented and exploratory actions seem to enable modelling of both general tasks that are currently executed by the user, and monitoring tasks that are currently out of focus. Extending the definition of reference tasks and relative measures to a richer vocabulary (possibly taken from activity theory) would enable us to include high level tasks such as: cooperatively writing a document, or completing an exercise in the context of a virtual learning environment.…”

Mechanisms for collaboration

“…Falcao and Price, 2009) the physical artifacts support additional cues to awareness. Group members may use them as external thinking props to explain a principle, an idea or a plan to the others that is more effective than using equivalent digital representations (Brereton and McGarry, 2000;Fitzmaurice et al, 1995;Fjeld, 2002;Hornecker and Buur, 2006). In particular, the act of waving or holding up a physical object in front of others is very effective at commanding attention.…”

Epistemic action: A measure for cognitive support in tangible user interfaces?

“…This tool (Fjeld, Lauche, et al, 2002;Fjeld, Voorhorst, Bichsel, Krueger, & Rauterberg, 2000) also employs virtual models of the blocks, the target, and the laser source. The participants manipulate the virtual laser source, however, by using one physical brick (see Figure 2).…”