Looking Beyond the Interface: Activity Theory and Distributed Learning
http://www.public.iastate.edu/~drrussel/papers/Russell_AT&DL.doc

Russell, David R.
Iowa State University
2001

Abstract:

Activity theory (AT) has for many years been used in studies of human computer interaction, such as computer interface design and computer-supported cooperative work (CSCW) (Nardi, 1996). In the last five years it has begun to be used to understand distributed learning, as technological innovations in education have often "seemed to be designed to exploit the capabilities of the technology rather than to meet an instructional need," to be technology-driven rather than theory-driven.