Driving current information to an online audience. Using
a hybrid approach to Activity Theory and Rhetorical Theory to discuss
the cognitive efforts of transitioning
By Puja Parakh
This paper brings together activity theory and rhetorical theory to discuss the decision making process a hypothetical company would make to transition from an e-newsletter to a blog format for sharing information with its user base. By using a combination of the two theories, we can better understand the motivations of both the presenter of information, as well as the audience that it serves. By investigating the uses of e-newsletters and blogs in a corporate environment, the application of theories can help further understand the ways each format differs to help drive current information to a company's audience, and the cognitive efforts of both those behind the information, as well as those who are receiving it. [Read more]
Talking to the warehouse floor How Semiotic Engineering picks up where Activity Theory leaves off
By Robert Racadio
Each year, ChemCom sets aside one day to count its millions of dollars worth of inventory across dozens of warehouses in the United States. To do this requires tight degree of coordination between ChemCom employees, its warehouse partners, and technology.
See an example of how Activity Theory and Semiotic Engineering can be applied to provide a detailed account of this event and identify ways in which coordination can be improved. [Full text coming June 8]
See an example of how Activity Theory and Semiotic Engineering can be applied to provide a detailed account of this event and identify ways in which coordination can be improved. [Full text coming June 8]
Switching from waterfall to agile software development Applying a combination of Distributed Cognition and Activity Theory to analyze the problem
By Telle Zeiler
The process of switching from a waterfall software development methodology to an agile one can be a painful process for some companies. The transition requires a not only a shift in mindset but also in tool use and in project process.
Learn how applying a focused combination of distributed cognition and activity theory can help to explain some of the pain points and what the cognitive shift from waterfall to agile entails. [Read more]
Learn how applying a focused combination of distributed cognition and activity theory can help to explain some of the pain points and what the cognitive shift from waterfall to agile entails. [Read more]
From the Dust: Developing effective content management workflows after a systems change Using Distributed Cognition and Activity Theory to frame the problem space
By Rebecca Destello
In this essay, I will examine how a company that is moving from an HTML-only Intranet to a SharePoint 2010 hosted platform can effectively change and adapt to new content management workflows for use in the new environment. Due to this dramatic change, an examination of the current processes and user roles is necessary to assist in the design of the new content management workflows. This paper proposes a combined theoretical approach to understanding the problem space by applying aspects from both Distributed Cognition and Activity Theory. [Read more]