Activity Theory Approaches for Authentic Web 2.0 Learning

Abstract

This chapter discusses activity theory approaches to authentic online learning through Web 2.0 media tools and practices. With the proliferation of Web 2.0 software, many have access to the tools, but it is more difficult to harness the power in them toward authentic and meaningful action. Activity theory provides a lens to examine the “unit of activity” as a way to describe, analyze, and understand activity en route to learning goals. The first part of this chapter briefly defines activity theory and its main tenets, and the last few sections specifically address learning in authentic situations and developing authentic communities. Web 2.0 tools and practices allow learners to be engaged in content-related challenges using the tools as mediating devices and therefore facilitating more authentic and successful learning trajectories.