Using Cultural-Historical Activity Theory to Investigate Interactive Whiteboards

This paper reports on the progress of a research project that uses Cultural Historical Activity Theory [CHAT] as a framework to investigate the use of Interactive Whiteboards [IWBs] in the primary classroom. It will be of interest to researchers and research students considering theoretical approaches and methodologies to ICT in education research. Much of the early research on IWBs is considered superficial; however a new research paradigm, based on the notion of “interactivity”, is gaining momentum. The purpose of this project is to begin to move beyond replicating earlier findings on the educational use of IWBs by building on the work of Kennewell and others, in order to further examine the application of IWBs and their potential in education. This is to be done by using CHAT as a framework for data collection and analysis and conducting case studies of a number of IWB equipped primary classrooms to investigate and compare “interactivity”. Updates of the case studies will be presented and discussed at the conference as well as the value of CHAT as an ICT research tool.

Files: 

latheefromeoacec2010final.pdf(203.21 KB)

This is how you cite this paper: