contextual analysis of remote experimentation using the actor-network theory
DESCRIPTION
Contextual Analysis of Remote Experimentation Using the Actor-Network Theory. Ricardo Costa - [email protected] Gustavo Alves - [email protected] Mário Zenha Rela - [email protected] Licínio Roque – [email protected]. ECEL 2010 4 - 5 November 2010 Porto, Portugal. Presentation outline. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Contextual Analysis of Remote Experimentation Using the Actor-Network Theory
ECEL 20104 - 5 November 2010
Porto, Portugal
Ricardo Costa - [email protected] Gustavo Alves - [email protected]
Mário Zenha Rela - [email protected]
Licínio Roque – [email protected]
2/17
Ricardo Costa - [email protected] - http://www.dee.isep.ipp.pt/~rjc
Presentation outline
Introduction Actor-Network Theory Influencing Contexts Identification of Actors and Associations A new Actor in the RE Actor-Network Conclusion
3/17
Ricardo Costa - [email protected] - http://www.dee.isep.ipp.pt/~rjc
Introduction
IntroductionActor-Network TheoryInfluencing Contexts Identification of Actors and AssociationsA new Actor in the RE Actor-NetworkConclusion
To understand a specific domain it is necessary to analyze : i) associations among elements (human or non-human
- things/concepts -) that comprehend the domain;ii) internal and external influences of other contexts.
Important to contextualize and analyze factors that influence RE adoption in an educational context.
Actor-Network Theory [Callon & Latour contributions, since 1986[Callon & Latour contributions, since 1986]]
WEBPCExperiment
ExperimentExperiment
•Extension of Virtual Learning Environments;•Ability to conduct real experiments through the internet
using remote laboratories or weblabs;•Many educational advantages
(flexibility, motivation, reduction of costs, etc.)•Prestigious schools are already adopting weblabs in
S&E courses (e.g. MIT iLab)
Remote Experimentation (RE) is an example of a domain !
4/17
Ricardo Costa - [email protected] - http://www.dee.isep.ipp.pt/~rjc
Actor-Network Theory
Actor-Network
Actor/Actant
Sub Actor-Network
Fact(black box)
Context
context
context
context
Actor-Network
Comprehends Elements (actors / actants) + associations belonging to contexts;Actors shape their attitudes during life-time;Several actors associated may create facts (black boxes);An actor may represent a sub-actor network;Alignment of interests is fundamental;Actor-networks are usually dynamic structures (unstable / difficult to analyze).
IntroductionActor-Network Theory (1/2)Influencing Contexts Identification of Actors and AssociationsA new Actor in the RE Actor-NetworkConclusion
5/17
Ricardo Costa - [email protected] - http://www.dee.isep.ipp.pt/~rjc
Actor-Network Theory
ProblematizationProblematization: the macro-actor defines the identities and the interests of other actors that are consistent with its own interests. InteressementInteressement: represents the process of convincing other actors that a macro-actor has specific relevance in the whole network. EnrolmentEnrolment: achieved when a specific actor accepts that the interests of the macro-actor are really fundamental to include the candidate actor into the network. This represents the successful outcome of the problematization and interessement processes.MobilizationMobilization: when actors, belonging to the network, are persuaded to accept the enrolled actor, since its interests were accepted by all actors already in the network. The aim of this stage is to maintain the commitment among actors within the network.
Problematization
Interessement
Enrolment
Mobilization
Network
Actor(candidate)
ContextTranslation Process [Callon 1986]
Macro-actor
Obligatory Point of Passage
(OPP)
The challenge is to persuade actors to follow a direction aligned with the macro-actor interests.
IntroductionActor-Network Theory (2/2)Influencing Contexts Identification of Actors and AssociationsA new Actor in the RE Actor-NetworkConclusion
6/17
Ricardo Costa - [email protected] - http://www.dee.isep.ipp.pt/~rjc
Influencing Contexts
Social(cultural/economical/political)
Technical Educational
Current trends
Actor-Network(Remote Experimentation)
Social - technical:Health, companies, people’s lives
Social - educational:Mechanical era
Social - educational - technical - :Digital era
Costa R. et al., 2010. Reconfigurable weblabs based on the IEEE1451 Std. 1st IEEE Costa R. et al., 2010. Reconfigurable weblabs based on the IEEE1451 Std. 1st IEEE Engineering Education 2010 – The Future of Global Learning in Engineering Education Engineering Education 2010 – The Future of Global Learning in Engineering Education (EDUCON'2010), Madrid - Spain.(EDUCON'2010), Madrid - Spain.
IntroductionActor-Network TheoryInfluencing Contexts Identification of Actors and AssociationsA new Actor in the RE Actor-NetworkConclusion
7/17
Ricardo Costa - [email protected] - http://www.dee.isep.ipp.pt/~rjc
Identification of Actors and Associations
(human actors)
(technical actors)
IntroductionActor-Network TheoryInfluencing Contexts Identification of Actors and Associations (1/7)A new Actor in the RE Actor-NetworkConclusion
8/17
Ricardo Costa - [email protected] - http://www.dee.isep.ipp.pt/~rjc
Identification of Actors and Associations
students
teachers
developers
technitians(lab. administrators)
(human actors)
(technical actors)
IntroductionActor-Network TheoryInfluencing Contexts Identification of Actors and Associations (2/7)A new Actor in the RE Actor-NetworkConclusion
9/17
Ricardo Costa - [email protected] - http://www.dee.isep.ipp.pt/~rjc
Identification of Actors and Associations
students
teachers
developers
technitians(lab. administrators)
(human actors)
networks
GUIsinfrastructure devices
Laboratory infrastructure
(technical actors)
access devices
IntroductionActor-Network TheoryInfluencing Contexts Identification of Actors and Associations (3/7)A new Actor in the RE Actor-NetworkConclusion
10/17
Ricardo Costa - [email protected] - http://www.dee.isep.ipp.pt/~rjc
Identification of Actors and Associations
students
teachers
developers
technitians(lab. administrators)
institutions (schools,
faculties, etc.)
(human actors)
networks
GUIsinfrastructure devices
Laboratory infrastructure
pedagogical contents
(technical actors)
team work
access devices
experiment
IntroductionActor-Network TheoryInfluencing Contexts Identification of Actors and Associations (4/7)A new Actor in the RE Actor-NetworkConclusion
11/17
Ricardo Costa - [email protected] - http://www.dee.isep.ipp.pt/~rjc
Identification of Actors and Associations
students
teachers
developers
tools
adoption
expe
rimen
tal
requ
irem
ents
technitians(lab. administrators)
developments /
lab. administration
Experimentadministration
learning
outcomes
access conditions
institutions (schools,
faculties, etc.)
(human actors)
networks
GUIsinfrastructure devices
Laboratory infrastructure
pedagogical contents
(technical actors)
team work
access devices
experiment
IntroductionActor-Network TheoryInfluencing Contexts Identification of Actors and Associations (5/7)A new Actor in the RE Actor-NetworkConclusion
12/17
Ricardo Costa - [email protected] - http://www.dee.isep.ipp.pt/~rjc
Identification of Actors and Associations
students
teachers
developers
tools
adoption
expe
rimen
tal
requ
irem
ents
technitians(lab. administrators)
developments /
lab. administration
Experimentadministration
learning
outcomes
access conditions
institutions (schools,
faculties, etc.)
(human actors)
networks
GUIsinfrastructure devices
Laboratory infrastructure
remote control/monitor
pedagogical contents
(technical actors)
team work
remote control/monitor
access devices
experiment
IntroductionActor-Network TheoryInfluencing Contexts Identification of Actors and Associations (6/7)A new Actor in the RE Actor-NetworkConclusion
13/17
Ricardo Costa - [email protected] - http://www.dee.isep.ipp.pt/~rjc
Identification of Actors and Associations
students
teachers
developers
tools
adoption
expe
rimen
tal
requ
irem
ents
technitians(lab. administrators)
developments /
lab. administration
Experimentadministration
learning
outcomes
access conditions
institutions (schools,
faculties, etc.)
institutional
administration
/ personal interests
(human actors)
Lab./
experiment(s)
accessnetworks
GUIsinfrastructure devices
Laboratory infrastructure
remote control/monitor
pedagogical contents
(technical actors)
team work collaboration
theoretical support
adoption / take advantageremote control/monitor
access devices
interaction
experiment
IntroductionActor-Network TheoryInfluencing Contexts Identification of Actors and Associations (7/7)A new Actor in the RE Actor-NetworkConclusion
14/17
Ricardo Costa - [email protected] - http://www.dee.isep.ipp.pt/~rjc
Webcams Instruments / Modules
PC (Instrumentation server)
PC (Web server)
(…)
Infrastructure devices
1451.0 Std.defines a set of operating modes and interfaces for controlling sensors and
actuators
I&M developed using HDL languages and following the
IEEE 1451.0 Std.
A new Actor in the RE Actor-Network
FPGA+I&MActor(candidate)
Actor named Actor named ““infrastructure devices” infrastructure devices” sub-networksub-network
institutions
Macro-actor
Main interests of the Main interests of the macro-actor:macro-actor:
i) Costs savings;ii) Increase
collaboration.
IntroductionActor-Network TheoryInfluencing Contexts Identification of Actors and AssociationsA new Actor in the RE Actor-Network (1/2)Conclusion
15/17
Ricardo Costa - [email protected] - http://www.dee.isep.ipp.pt/~rjc
Webcams Instruments / Modules
PC (Instrumentation server)
PC (Web server)
(…)
Infrastructure devices
A new Actor in the RE Actor-Network
FPGA+I&MActor(candidate)
Actor named Actor named ““infrastructure devices” infrastructure devices” sub-networksub-network
institutions
Macro-actor
Applying the Translation process:Applying the Translation process:1- Problematization:1- Problematization:high costs and few collaboration are problems identified by the macro-actor (macro-actor interests that should be solved).
2- Interessement:2- Interessement:the macro-actor easily convince other actors that the candidate actor is fundamental to solve
those problems..
IntroductionActor-Network TheoryInfluencing Contexts Identification of Actors and AssociationsA new Actor in the RE Actor-Network (2/2)Conclusion
To be To be analysed in analysed in the future !the future !
3- Enrolment:3- Enrolment:other actors are convinced that the candidate actor is fundamental to solve the problems (e.g. students / technicians are also interested that the problems can be solved – they will get advantages).
4- Mobilization:4- Mobilization:changes to the RE actor-network are advantageous for the whole network and, therefore, for the actors (future commitments among all actors should be maintained).
16/17
Ricardo Costa - [email protected] - http://www.dee.isep.ipp.pt/~rjc
Conclusion
Education is fundamental to the social sustainability (for guaranteeing values, attitudes and knowledge);
Technology is influencing people in those values and attitudes;
The educational landscape changed (from a mechanical era to a digital era)E.g. the adoption of remote labs in S&E courses [Remote Experimentation];
However: it is important to analyze the whole context (actors + associations) using ANT.
So:i) it was identified actors and associations > the RE actor-network
(intersection of social-educational-technical contexts);
ii) it was analyzed the inclusion of a new actor (FPGA-based boards + I&M) into the RE actor-network using the translation process;
Future changes in the RE actor-network should follow a similar process to guarantee sustainability on the associations among actors !
IntroductionActor-Network TheoryInfluencing Contexts Identification of Actors and AssociationsA new Actor in the RE Actor-NetworkConclusion
17/17
Ricardo Costa - [email protected] - http://www.dee.isep.ipp.pt/~rjc
Thanks for your attention !
Ricardo Costahttp://www.dee.isep.ipp.pt/~rjc [email protected] / [email protected]