Contextual Analysis of Remote Experimentation Using the Actor-Network Theory

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]

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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

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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 !

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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

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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

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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.


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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

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students

teachers

developers

technitians(lab. administrators)

(human actors)

(technical actors)


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students

teachers

developers


(human actors)

networks

GUIsinfrastructure devices

Laboratory infrastructure

(technical actors)

access devices


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students

teachers

developers


institutions (schools,

faculties, etc.)

(human actors)

networks



pedagogical contents

(technical actors)

team work

access devices

experiment


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students

teachers

developers

tools

adoption

expe

rimen

tal

requ

irem

ents


developments /

lab. administration

Experimentadministration

learning

outcomes

access conditions


faculties, etc.)

(human actors)

networks




(technical actors)

team work

access devices

experiment


12/17



students

teachers

developers

tools

adoption

expe

rimen

tal

requ

irem

ents


developments /

lab. administration


learning

outcomes

access conditions


faculties, etc.)

(human actors)

networks



remote control/monitor


(technical actors)

team work


access devices

experiment


13/17



students

teachers

developers

tools

adoption

expe

rimen

tal

requ

irem

ents


developments /

lab. administration


learning

outcomes

access conditions


faculties, etc.)

institutional

administration

/ personal interests

(human actors)

Lab./

experiment(s)

accessnetworks





(technical actors)

team work collaboration

theoretical support

adoption / take advantageremote control/monitor

access devices

interaction

experiment


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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

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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).

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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 !


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Thanks for your attention !

Ricardo Costahttp://www.dee.isep.ipp.pt/~rjc [email protected] / [email protected]

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Contextual Analysis of Remote Experimentation Using the Actor-Network Theory

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