Models and Theories in Human-Computer Interaction/A Route of Understanding and Analyzing a Phenomenon - Activity Theory

A Route of Understanding Activity theory enables the studying the context in which a human interacts with computers, it provides a framework to reason an entire work system beyond an individual user. Activity Theory provides focus on the following items (from Carroll) - analysis and design focused on a particular work process with concerns for the social reality around that process. analysis and design focused on actual usage focus on the development of expertise active user participation in the development process One of the strengths of Activity Theory is that it provides a mechanism to bridge the gap between the a individual user and the social reality around them. Meaning it takes into account the environment, personal interaction, what going on in the local area. Giving you a very comprehensive picture vs early HCI theories.