Towards a Theory of Socio-technical Interactions

Technology enhanced learning environments are characterized by socio-technical interactions. Socio-technical interactions involve individuals interacting with (a) technologies, and (b) other individuals. These two critical aspects of socio-technical interactions in technology enhanced learning environments are theoretically conceived as (a) appropriation of sociotechnical affordances and (b) structures and functions of technological intersubjectivity. Briefly, socio-technical affordances are action-taking possibilities and meaning-making opportunities in an actor-environment system with reference to actor competencies and technical capabilities of the sociotechnical system. Drawing from ecological psychology, formal definitions of socio-technical affordances and the appropriation of affordances are offered. Technological intersubjectivity (TI) refers to a technology supported interactional social relationship between two or more actors. Drawing from social philosophy, a definition of TI is offered. Implications for technology enhanced learning environments are discussed.