The Reflection Object: An Activity-Theory Informed Concept for Designing for Reflection

摘要

A substantial body of human-computer interaction literature investigates tools that are intended to support reflection, e.g. under the header of quantified self or in computer-mediated learning. These works describe the issues that are reflected on by users in terms of examples, such as reflecting on financial expenditures, lifestyle, professional growth, etc. A coherent concept is missing. In this paper, the reflection object is developed based on activity theory, reflection theory and related design-oriented research. The reflection object is both what is reflected on and what is changed through reflection. It constitutes the link between reflection and other activities in which the reflecting person participates. By combining these two aspects-what is reflected on and what is changed-into a coherent conceptual unit, the concept of the reflection object provides a frame to focus on how to support learning, change and transformation, which is a major challenge when designing technologies for reflection.RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTSThe reflection object is both what is reflected on and what is changed through reflection.Designing for reflection means to identify what is relevant to users and what can be changed (the reflection object), how to represent this reflection object and which contextual information is necessary to understand the object and its development in time. The object's representation is a tool for reflection; it triggers reflection and creates communicative context.The concept of reflection object as a conceptual tool creates a focus to think in parallel about that which is reflected on and that which changes; to think in parallel about the sameness of and change in the reflection object; to think in parallel about reflection and the activity for which this reflection is important as the reflection constitutes elements of or a complete linked activity.