Activity Structures
Eliana Moore
Jenni Utt
Tina Ream
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What does the theory mean?
 Empowers teacher to create Internetbased curriculum tied experiences
 A "thinking tool" which helps teachers
become Instructional Designers
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Who created the Theory?
Judi Harris
Department of Curriculum
and Instruction,
University of Texas at Austin
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Judi Harris’ work
• Used Logo
• Determined role that computers play in
critical thinking for students
• Shared experiences and researching while
getting her PhD
• Defined 3 main parts of Activity Structures
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3 Main Parts of Activity
Structures:
• Collaborative Problem Solving Projects
• Information Collections
• Interpersonal Exchanges
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Collaborative Problem-Solving
Projects:
• Promotes critical thinking
• Includes information searches and peer
feedback
• Example: WebQuests
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Information Collections
• Students collect, compile, and compare
different types of interesting information
• Students participate in information
exchanges, databases, electronic
publishing, telefieldtrips
• Positively Trashy
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Interpersonal Exchanges
• Students communicate electronically with
other individuals
• Communicate with groups
• Example: Flat Stanley
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Activity Structures
Contrast to other Learning
Theories
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Learning Occurance
Behaviorism
• viewed through a change in observable
frequency of performance
• learner utilizes cues to change behavior
• influenced through stimili
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Learning Occurance
Cognitivism
• viewed through the
knowledge of the
student
• learner becomes an
active participant in
acquiring information
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Learning Occurance
Constructivism
• meaning created through experience of
the learner
• students required a reason to find
meaning
• interaction must occur between the
learner & environment
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Learning Occurance
Activity Structure
• Learner is able to create their
own activity
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Techniques in Instruction
Design
Behaviorism
• Drills & Practice of Routine information
• Use of Objectives and goals with a reward
upon completion
Cognitivism
• Based upon feedback of student
• Mental connections related back to
instructor
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Techniques in Instruction
Design
Constructivism
• Tailored to individual student response
• encourage students to analyze, interpret
& predict information
• Discussion
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Techniques in Instruction
Design
Activity Structure
• Discussion & exchange of information
• Communication
• Collection & analysis of Data
• Work to solve/attain a specific goal
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How to Evaluate Success
Behaviorism
• Predetermined set of criteria
• Graded equally & evenly
Cognitivism
• Set of activities accomplished toward a
specific goal
• Criteria and Objective based
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How to Evaluate Success
Constructivism
• Elimination of Grades
• Student judges own progress
Activity Structure
• Compilation of the above fore mentioned
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Activity Structures
Historical Perspective
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Learning Theories and their
Key Players
Behaviorism:
• Pavlov (1849-1936)
• Watson ( 1878-1958)
• Thorndike ( 1874-1949)
• Skinner (1904-1990)
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Learning Theories and their
Key Players
Cognitivism:
• Piaget (1896-1980)
• Vgotsky (1896-1934)
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Learning Theories and their
Key Players
Constructivism:
• Bruner (1915- )
Situated Learning - 1968
• Lave
• Etienne Wenger
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Learning Theories and their
Key Players
Activity Structure - 1995
• Judy Harris
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Learning Theories Timeline
http://online.sfsu.edu/~foreman/itec800/fina
lprojects/joelantipuesto/timeline.html
http://hagar.up.ac.za/catts/learner/andres/ti
meline.htm
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Activity Structure Examples
www.figg.com/ired320/sessions/astructure.
htm
http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Rhodes/6
470/index.html
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