More voices from generation Z : IB MYP sciences digital portfolios longitudinally viewed under an activity theory lens

Abstract

A proposed procedure, longitudinal Activity Theory for technology implementation (LATTI), based on novelty effect-aware methodologies found in contemporary literature was used to help answer the research question: How can Activity Theory be applied as a framework to analyse longitudinally the effects of introducing digital portfolios into an International Baccalaureate (IB) Middle Years Programme (MYP) Sciences classroom? ‘This longitudinal multiple-case study applies Activity Theory to analyse the integration of digital portfolio into an IB MYP Sciences classroom in Hong Kong SAR, China. Activity Theory was used as an analytical framework to examine eight IB MYP 2 students’ (aged 12–13) experiences of Google Sites over two academic years of face-to-face, online, and blended learning modes of teaching and learning. Two classes of 21 students were understood as one Activity System with the inclusion of digital portfolios (Tool) that affected multiple Elements. These include participating students (Subjects), classroom norms (Rules), peers and parents (Community), feedback tasks (Division of Labour), uploading and presenting digital artefacts (Object), and personal skills-based motivation (Outcomes). Qualitative data analysis of digital portfolio artefacts and semi-structured interviews at three stages of intervention revealed two secondary contradiction themes that might have impeded digital portfolio update consistency: 1) Tool-related (unawareness of Tool affordances and misplacement of resources) and 2) Community-related (unfamiliarity with Community members’ roles and conflicting feedback expectations)’ (Kwong & Churchill, 2023, p. 1). Recommendations for practice (e.g., Tool-related affordances and recommendations and monthly timeline with Community roles), theory (e.g., methodological application of LATTI), and further research (e.g., implementation of an additional digital portfolio and of a policy to remove student grades) are outlined.