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Centre for research in learning and change

Centre for research in learning and change. Exploring Cultural-Historical Activity Theory (CHAT) as a tool for investigating workers’ literacy and numeracy practices. Keiko Yasukawa, Tony Brown, Stephen Black University of Technology, Sydney Paper presented at the 15 th AVETRA Conference

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Centre for research in learning and change

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  1. Centre for research in learning and change Exploring Cultural-Historical Activity Theory (CHAT) as a tool for investigating workers’ literacy and numeracy practices. Keiko Yasukawa, Tony Brown, Stephen Black University of Technology, Sydney Paper presented at the 15th AVETRA Conference The Value and Voice of VET Research for individuals, industry, community and the nation Rydges Capital Hotel, Canberra, April 2012

  2. Outline • Rationale for the Project* Investigating the ‘Crisis’ seeking new voices • Researching Literacy & Numeracy • CHAT as an analytical tool • Examining literacy & numeracy within an activity system • Conclusions *Funding and support for this project was provided by the Australian Government Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations through the National VET Research and Evaluation Program managed by the National Centre for Vocational Education Research. The views and opinions expressed in this paper are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Australian Government, State and Territory governments or NCVER

  3. The Project Rationale for the Project - ‘Crisis’ discourse around skills & esp literacy and numeracy --> government & business, ALLS - but workers’ perspective? Need for research approach to capture & understand other perspectives CHAT as tool: used in workplace education & research; interest in expansive learning Three sites: manufacturing firms (Hearing; Doors / Locks; Gaskets) at three different stages of becoming ‘lean’/competitive

  4. Literacy & Numeracy approaches • Two main discourses • (a) Instrumental – measurement, diagnostic • (b) Social practices – literacy and numeracy as historically, culturally, politically contingent, inseparable from context • CHAT as a tool for analysis of social practices and researching literacy and numeracy

  5. Activity System - elements

  6. An activity system example - Modelling • Modelling as an activity • Checking Order Form ID • Spatial awareness & visualisation • Orientation in 3D • Estimation • Image manipulation • Oral communication (a) in team (b) with clients

  7. Modelling – checking the order number

  8. Image of the Ear Canal

  9. Modelling a shell - cutting across the length of the ear canal

  10. Modelling the shell – positioning an electronic component

  11. Modelling as an Activity System

  12. Conclusions CHAT enables us to see and describe workplace literacy and numeracy as: • Both individual and collective efforts • Embedded in the integrated whole of the work practices • Multiple practices • Learnt or able to be learnt on the job • Implications for Literacy & Numeracy education for work.

  13. The lean workplace – the team ‘board’

  14. The ‘lean’ workplace – monitoring daily performance

  15. The ‘lean’ workplace – monitoring performance against targets

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