The use of activity theory and its principle of contradictions to identify and analyse systemic tensions: the case of a Virtual University and its partners

摘要

When it comes to understanding the dynamics of interaction between humans and technology, activity theory's principle of contradiction is very useful. This is because contradictions expose links between humans and technology. These links are in form of problems, ruptures, breakdowns, clashes, distortions and so on. In this paper, we used activity theory's principle of contradiction to analyze reported cases of the partnership of African Virtual University (AVU) and two Australian universities. Our analysis of the reported cases reveals contradictions between AVU and its principles, partners, students, lecturers, the African community and so on. We concluded with the implications of these contradictions with regards to change in the AVU practice.