Cultural Historical Activity Theory and Sensemaking: An Inclusive Frame of Analysis for Investigating Educational Change

• In Event: 32.057 - Activity Theory: Mediating Interdisciplinary Methods and Methodologies

Abstract

Scholars have indicated that there are several challenges in conducting research on school change. In this paper, I argue that cultural historical activity theory (CHAT) and sensemaking theory together can attend to difficulties. CHAT is useful for fully attending to context, emphasizing the interaction between individual and context, and attending to the cultural-historical aspects of the setting. Complementing CHAT, sensemaking theory is critical to attending to the roles of individual interpretation, emotion, and identity. Finally, the use of CHAT and sensemaking theory as an integrated theoretical framework helps to attend to rapid change over time, allowing the researcher to zoom in on individual processes, while also keeping an eye on shifting context.

Author

• Andrea J. Bingham, University of Colorado - Colorado Springs