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SUMMARY:An activity theory approach to affordance - Abi Sellen and Kasim R
 ehman\, Microsoft Research / Computer Laboratory
DTSTART:20050708T100000Z
DTEND:20050708T113000Z
UID:TALK4391@talks.cam.ac.uk
CONTACT:Alan Blackwell
DESCRIPTION:This meeting of the group will discuss:\n\nBrentsen\, K.B. & T
 rettvik\, J. (2002) An activity theory approach\nto affordance. In Proc. 2
 nd Nordic Conf. on HCI (NordiCHI)\, pp. 51-60).\n\nlink to paper on ACM po
 rtal (subscription required):\nhttp://tinyurl.com/9tk4m\n\nThe concept of 
 affordance was introduced to the field of HCI as a means to enhance the un
 derstandability and usability of artifacts and especially their user inter
 face. The results have however not been entirely convincing. This paper pr
 esents a theoretical analysis of the concept of affordance coined by James
  J. Gibson. The concept of affordance was meant to cut through the subject
 ive-objective dichotomy of traditional psychology and philosophy\, but its
  interpretation in HCI has often retained this dichotomy. We argue\, that 
 at least some of the misunderstanding of the concept is caused by the fact
  that Gibson focused mainly on the perceptual side of the concept\, leavin
 g the activity of the organism as a largely implicit precondition. We sugg
 est that this shortcoming have significant consequences\, but that they ca
 n be overcome by employing the concepts for activity and consciousness fou
 nd in the Russian activity theory as a frame of reference for the concept 
 of affordance.\n\nEveryone attending is expected to read the paper in adva
 nce. Please bring a copy with you\, preferably annotated with interesting 
 reflections. The format of discussion will be a brief invited introduction
 /critique by two members of the group\, followed by general discussion and
  informal mixing. 
LOCATION:Seminar Room FW11\, Computer Laboratory
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