The Object, the Actor and the Network

Making sense of connected things through activity. An introduction to activity modelling as tool for making sense of both human and non-human activity. Activity models can provide a minimal viable context to gather validated learning about a context and it’s continued evolution.

Transcript

1. the object, the actor & the network making sense of connected things through activity
2. things versus humans
3. 1. connected things and complexity 2. challenges for user-centred design 3. introduction to activity modelling 4. social objects and actor-networks 5. playing with activity models today’s presentation
4. connected things and complexity 1
5. pokémon are among us
6. “it’s the pokéconomy, stupid!”
8. Hello there! I am Professor Willow. Tell me everything.
10. tsukumogami “artefact spirits”
11. “giant brain”
12. little printer
13. moore’s law meets main st.
14. https://vimeo.com/41363473
15. smart toasters
16. house of horrors
17. challenges for user-centred design 2
19. human-centered design considered harmful Don Norman
20. •specific needs versus ubiquitous design •static understanding of activity •difficult to satisfy emergent needs challenges to user-centred design
21. understanding design abstraction pong
22. design-for-use the designer’s perspective on user practice design-in-use the user’s perspective on their own practice “victimhood trope” the false assumption that users need to be rescued from technology
23. tunnel design a tight focus of information that neglects resources that lie on the social periphery
24. Example of tunnel design backwards to the future
25. introduction to activity modelling 3
26. activity players Lev Vygotsky Cultural-historical psychology Alexei Leontiev Founder of Activity Theory Yuri Engstrom Founder of Activity Models
27. 1) subject 2) object (activity) (4) tools (5) rules (6) community (7) division of labour conference speaker share knowledge shared learning (3) outcome give presentation slide text/images software, audio/visual duration theme questions attendees practitioners interest groups organisers chair/committee moderators activity model
28. activity an intermediate concept that provides a minimum meaningful context for individual actions
29. minimum viable context
30. Paper form Subject/participants Objective/purpose Activity Communities/groups Roles/hierarchies Rules/rituals Tools/artefacts Goal/outcome problem framing
31. learning about activity models
32. 1. (subject) whose perspective? 2. (object) what are they working on? 3. (outcome) to what ends? 4. (tools) what tools or artefacts are used? 5. (rules) what constrains the activity? 6. (community) what communities are involved? 7. (division of labour) how is the work shared?
33. •human intentionality •role of tools, culture and society •importance of learning some key principles of activity theory
34. understanding pokémon 1) subject pokémon trainer 2) object train pokémon 3) purpose become pokémon champion 4) tools pokeball pokedex world/regions pokestops 5) rules trainers own pokémon gotta collect em all regions use real locations 7) division of labour gym leaders elite four regional champion 6) community pokémon trainers (activity) catch pokémon
35. social objects and actor-networks 4
37. why do social networks work?
38. The world is not a solid continent of facts.. but a vast ocean of uncertainties Bruno Latour
39. •objects are part of social networks •ability for non-humans to act •role of mediation in culture some key principles of actor-network theory
40. •human and non-human intentionality •role of tools, culture and society •importance of learning modified activity theory
41. the “toasteconomy”
42. Where do Grand Trends affect your Business? The exercise provides a fantastic warm up for anyone who wants to run meetings in more engaging ways. More importantly, it provides a simple but powerful approach to help teams unpack complex problems more collaboratively and effectively. The act of making ideas visible - representing situations as visual interconnected systems composed of nodes and links - can convert unproductive discussions into effective working sessions that foster clarity, engagement and alignment. Take the following steps to run such a meeting. DRAWTOAST.com more complex than it looks
43. understanding brad 1) subject/actor toasters 2) object toast toast 3) purpose be used 4) tools bread electricity butter jam, marmalade, toppings 5) rules bread must be sliced toasting preferences - don’t burn! eaten at breakfast or as snack 7) division of labour humans supply bread fridge stores butter 6) community toasters domestic devices (activity) make toast
44. playing with activity models 5
45. meaningful shapes
46. multi-voiced systems
47. triangulating information
48. Conceptual anchors activity modelling canvas
49. activitymodelling.com
50. all models are wrong but some are useful George Box
51. thank you @stuartcurran