An Activity System

Now that this unit is nearing its end, reflect on your understanding, throughout the term so far, of the term "activity system" and its related concepts. Provide your revised definition/understanding of the term "activity system" and its elements. How does writing "get stuff done" in activity systems? Be specific where possible, including references to the course readings, examples, or other information to support your ideas.


I still consider an activity system to be a group of people who work together to complete one goal. I would however, revise the definition and say an activity system is, " a group of people work together using genres and tools to complete one goal. Writing "gets stuff done" within an activity system in multiple ways. Writing can serve as a genre and be an effective method of communication amongst the members of the system. As seen in the first Activity Analysis Sample, nurses and doctors use writing to document things that happen with their patients. This is an effective means of communication because it helps one nurse or doctor know what has already been done. Writing is also helpful as a tool. Within my activity system, there is a booklet that served as a written foundation for the system. Writing helps get things done in both of these scenarios and which proves that it is beneficial within activity systems.

https://www.interaction-design.org/literature/book/the-encyclopedia
-of-human-computer-interaction-2nd-ed/activity-theory