Two Cases for Traces: A Theoretical Framing of Mediated Joint Activity

In this paper we activate theoretical principles for HCI and CSCW in analysis and design of collaborative technologies. We critically evaluate theoretical principles about how technologies mediate collaborative activities through two empirical cases regarding smart speakers and collaborative writing, respectively. Common to them is that both common objects and mediating artifacts are set in a mixed virtual and physical setting. Principles from activity theory are examined, specifically with a focus on how people use artifacts and objects as mediators to collaborate in joint activity. As part of questioning the cases, we also position collaborative affordances in relation to the principles. We engage with the cases by using the theoretical principles both analytically and constructively. Our analysis specifically targets traces as a possible construct that has potential to constructively aid collaboration across the two cases. We explore what seems to be a lack of support, and in particular theoretical framing, of traces of past activities, connected objects, other users, etc. With an initial hypothesis that traces could be a mechanism that would support these two kinds of collaborative activities better in a future redesign, we set out to further explore the cases and their future possibilities, and how they could be conceptually grounded and supported. We present a set of analytically and constructively oriented questions to help researchers and designers of artifacts identify mediators for and instances of collaboration.