The Role of Contradictions in the Development of Technology-Supported Constructivist Classroom Practices: A Cultural-Historical Activity Theory Perspective

The notion of contradiction from Cultural-Historical Activity Theory (CHAT) perspectives is known as an "engine" for the development of human practices because participants attempt to adjust their practices to resolve contractions. This study examines two middle school teachers' classroom practices from CHAT, focusing on the role of contradictions that emerged between their existing teaching practices and constructivist activities in the development of a student-centered technology-integrated learning environment. Findings indicated that teachers' awareness and resolution of contradictions played a large role in the development of a technology-supported student-centered learning environment, a culturally more advanced activity system: students displayed greater responsibilities for their learning and were guided to make effective decisions for their learning activity.