There are two theoretical frameworks that I am in interested in learning more about for my Applied Research Project (ARP). The first is Cultural Theory. I understand this theory to suggest that organizations have ways of doing things. To introduce something new to an organization the way we do that is critical to accepting something new. For something new to be indoctrinated into the culture, we must take care to ensure that the way we socialize changes is very important to how something new will be received.
For my ARP, I’m looking into how we might blend or use AI with learning management systems to obtain insightful analytics, with the goal of using that data to create learning more in tune with what learners want to consume. I’d like to dive deeper into how Cultural Theory aligns with the social constructivist perspective. I believe that here is alignment between the two. For Cultural Theory [the] “learning is considered as a situated, social endeavour, facilitated and developed through social interactions and conversations between people and mediated through tool use (Vygotsky, 1978, Wersch, 1991 as cited in Kearney et al. 2015). I’m wondering if it’s possible to weave AI into the cultural fabric of organizations in a way that makes it meaningful.
The other framework I’m looking into is the Technology Acceptance model. I believe these two frameworks could work together in terms of my research question. The Technology Acceptance model (TAM) refers to how individuals view the new technology in terms of it’s usefulness and ease of use (Davis, 1989). I think this framework will be an obvious choice in terms of my research question. Educating users on AI’s usefulness and incorporating job aids and resources for users to understand how to use the tool will be critical to understanding how we may blend AI with an LMS to gain insightful data.
More research on these frameworks is necessary to aid my research question and sub-questions.
References
Davis, F. D. (1989, September). Perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and user acceptance of information technology. MIS Quarterly, 13(3), 319–339. https://doi.org/10.2307/249008
Kearney, M., Burden, K., & Rai, T. (2015). Investigating teachers’ adoption of signature mobile pedagogies. Computers & Education, 80, 48-57.
December 1, 2023 at 11:26 am
Good work on this Andrea and really nice choices. In looking at what you’ve written, you might want to consider cultural theory and it’s connection with social constructivism and AI within the literature review — it sounds like it’s something you’d like to explore further and understand more and if so, then having it simply as a background TF piece doesn’t really provide much opportunity to do so. TAM is also a good choice, and you’ve provided strong clarity with why it would fit and you’ve very clearly articulated it as a background piece and that your research would move forward looking at how resources are developed and incorporated, etc.
Either would definitely work, but if you’re interested in understanding more about the connections with culture and the idea of shifting the culture, then I’d potentially explore that in a sub section of the lit review and have TAM as your TF