Coconfiguring Expansive Learning and Action Research in
Wikiversity
Abstract submission: Mini-Conference on Medical Education, Learning Theories and
Technology
Cormac Lawler: PhD candidate, University of Manchester (School of Education)
This poster attempts to ‘coconfigure’ expansive learning (Engeström, 1987; 1999 –
see fig. 1) and action research (Elliott, 1991; Carr, Kemmis, 1986; Whitehead, McNiff,
2006 – see fig. 2) so as to critique, enrich and expand each other. Coconfiguration is a
term from Engeström (2007), indicating a complex process which is decentralised and
collaborative. I argue that both approaches fit with my research context, Wikiversity – an
openly editable, wiki website (and the community around this website), developing
learning materials and learning opportunities – which is a complex and sometimes
amorphous activity system in its own right (Barab, Schatz, Scheckler, 2004). My general
research question framing this particular work is: “How can the Wikiversity community
create opportunities for learning in a wiki context?”. This poster will elaborate on my
intention to utilise both approaches (EL and AR) to shed light on existing pedagogical
practice on Wikiversity, with the aim of improving this practice. It will also detail
overlaps between both approaches, and discuss their critiques (eg. Avis, 2007;
Hammerlsey, 2004), in the hope of using each to augment or strengthen the other. EL’s
questioning phase and AR’s (or, at least, a clearly discernible strand within AR) concern
with power are seen as central to this.
Research methods consist of observations and discussions from the wiki, focus groups
through synchronous ‘chat’ forums, and interviews with selected participants. The
action/intervention consists of raising questions about existing practice – i.e. comments,
discussions, resources, ’edits’, as well as individuals’ roles in this practice (O’Mahony,
Ferraro, 2007) – with the intention of highlighting and/or making explicit problems,
tensions, and contradictions – as well as solutions to these. Since the practice is about
facilitating learning in a wiki, the intervention will consist of developing new tools
(resources, models, technologies) for learning, and analysing them through discussion
situated in the historical context of Wikiversity.
Finally, the poster will discuss the nature of ‘radical’ interventions, which could be
applicable to both EL and AR approaches. It will also draw from related fields of sociopolitical theory – particularly issues of participation and identity, which are strongly
present in a Communities of Practice perspective (Wenger, 1998), as well as how such a
process is shaped by discourse, and how such a ‘democratic dialogue’ can facilitate
practical change (Gustavsen, 2006).
7. Consolidating new
practice
1. Questioning
2a. Historical analysis
2b. Actual empirical analysis
R eco ns tructive
Constructive
DISCOURS E
among participant s
4. Reflect
1. P lan
PRACTICE
in the soc ial co nte xt
3. Observe
2. Act
6. Reflecting on
process
3. Modeling new
solution
5. Implementing
new model
4. Examining new
model
Fig 1: Expansive learning cycle (Engeström,
1999: 384)
Fig 2: ‘Moments’ of action research (Carr,
Kemmis, 1986: 186)
References
Avis, J. (2007) Engeström's version of activity theory: a conservative praxis?, Journal of
Education and Work, 20 (3), 161-177
Barab, S., Schatz, S., Scheckler, R. (2004) Using activity theory to conceptualise online
community and using online community to conceptualise activity theory, Mind, Culture,
and Activity, 11 (1), 25-47
Carr, W., Kemmis, S. (1986) Becoming critical. Lewes: Falmer Press
Elliott, J. (1991) Action research for educational change. Open University Press: Milton
Keynes
Engeström, Y. (1987) Learning by expanding: an activity-theoretical approach to
developmental research. Helsinki: Orienta-Konsultit Oy. Retrieved from:
http://lchc.ucsd.edu/MCA/Paper/Engeström/expanding/toc.htm
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Engeström, Y. (2007) Enriching the theory of expansive learning: lessons from journeys
toward coconfiguration, Mind, Culture, and Activity, 14 (1-2), 23-39
Gustavsen, B. (2006) Theory and practice: the mediating discourse, in P. Reason, H.
Bradbury (Eds.) Handbook of Action Research (Concise Paperback edition). London:
Sage, 17-26
Hammersley, M. (2004) Action research: a contradiction in terms?, Oxford Review of
Education, 30 (2), 165-181
O'Mahony, S., Ferraro, F (2007) The emergence of governance in an open source
community, Academy of Management Journal, 50 (5), 1079–1106
Wenger, E. (1998) Communities of practice. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press
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