Understanding difficulties of learning in Computer Environments of Human Learning from the perspective of the third generation of activity theory – the concept of networks of interacting activity systems

Abstract

This paper deals with the educational application of the concept of networks of interacting activity systems. The latter is depicted in the third generation of Activity theory, as a new tool for understanding situations in which humans are interacting together to reach a common goal. In the case of Computer Environments of Human learning (CEHL), particularly in the context of e-learning, we argue that there are three interacting activity systems of learners which must be taken as a unit of analysis when trying to apprehend and interpret difficulties of learning in such environments. Indeed, we identify and examine, on the one hand, didactic activity system, seen in its network relations to pedagogical and technical activity systems on the other hand. We think that due to the emerging contradictions from these three interacting activity systems, learners are prevented from achieving their objectives in terms of learning. Therefore research efforts should be focused on developing new tools to understand and overcome these contradictions to enhance the process of learning when using technological tools.