Activity U (V): Typology of Activities and Other Practical Tools

Theoretical resources and methodological resources from Clay Spinuzzi

This article is part of a case study: Activity U. I apply the HERO U framework and Diagram U to discuss the development of a large knowledge enterprise: Activity Theory or (Cultural-historical activity theory, CHAT).

• Activity U (I): The Landscape of Activity Theory
• Activity U (II): Unit of Analysis, Niches of Analysis, Levels of Analysis
• Activity U (III): Bonnie Nardi’s Choices and Boundary Knowledge Work
• Activity U (IV): The Engeström’s Triangle and the Power of Diagram

This time I will focus on some theoretical resources and methodological resources from a young activity theorist Clay Spinuzzi who is a professor of rhetoric and writing at The University of Texas at Austin. Spinuzzi has over twenty years of empirical research experience with activity theory. His interests include research methods and methodology, workplace research, and computer-mediated activity. Spinuzzi has written four books: Tracing Genres through Organizations (2003); Network (2008); Topsight (2013); and All Edge (2015).

Contents

0. The landscape of Activity Theory

Part 1: Spinuzzi’s Typology of Activities

1.1 Typology of Activities
1.2 The Object of Activity
1.3 How and Where
1.4 Hierarchies…