A proposed interpretivist framework to research the adoption of learning management systems in universities

Abstract

This paper proposes a practical research framework based on activity theory as a lens to research the adoption of learning management systems in tertiary education institutions. Following the identification of the interpretivist paradigm as an appropriate research approach, approaches such structuration theory, actor network theory, or activity theory are briefly considered. The paper then argues that activity theory is a natural fit and it was used but reconceptualized for the context of an academic learning environment to propose an analytical research framework for LMS. In particular, e-Learning can be analysed as a teaching-learning work activity with an objective, mediators, actors, actions, mediator tensions, work activity as a transformation, and the activity outcomes. The paper posits teaching and learning through an LMS as an activity object; sees rules, pedagogy, nature of tasks and social contexts as mediators for the e-learning activity; institution, educators & learners as actor; work activity as transformation and quality learning as activity outcomes.