Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2025 - EDUC 893 G001

Organizational and Social Aspects of Learning Technology Design (4)

Class Number: 4289

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2025: Tue, 4:30–8:20 p.m.
    Surrey

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Reviews constructive approaches to integrating learning technologies, provides analysis tools from cultural historical activity theory, reviews impact of organizational culture and draws on visualization of social activity networks. Organization and change strategies are examined in higher, school and workplace learning; providing a source for designing organizational learning technologies.

COURSE DETAILS:

This course deals with socio-cultural and grounded perspectives for learning design and use of educational technologies. It aims at effectively combining technological affordances, learner agency, and learning contexts. The ultimate success of learning technologies depends not only on how “good” the products are with respect to traditional criteria of engineering and simplicity but mainly on the extent to which the use of technology is justified based on educational rationale and pedagogical reasoning. This refers to challenges of technology adoption as well as the fact that the learning enabled by the technologies occurs in a social context.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

At the end of this course, students will be able to

  • Explain how sociocultural perspectives inform the design of learning and use of technologies
  • Analyze learning contexts using social and cultural considerations (e.g., activity theory)
  • Create a high-fidelity web prototype for collaborative learning, communities of practice
  • Evaluate technology enhanced learning environments

Grading

  • Participation in Class Activities and Learning Community 35%
  • Analysis of a learning context from a socio-cultural perspective 30%
  • Social Learning Web Design (SLWD) Rationale & Prototype 25%
  • Reflective log 10%

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Wenger, E., White, N. & Smith, J. (2009). Digital habitats: Stewarding technology for communities. Portland, OR: CPsquare. 

The book is available for free through the author  http://technologyforcommunities.com/2016/12/happy-holidays-free-download-of-digital-habitats/

 


ISBN: 978098250360

Almost all reading articles will be available on Canvas. Also, note that reading materials and requirements could be modified to better meet students’ learning needs and progress in the course.


REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Graduate Studies Notes:

Important dates and deadlines for graduate students are found here: http://www.sfu.ca/dean-gradstudies/current/important_dates/guidelines.html. The deadline to drop a course with a 100% refund is the end of week 2. The deadline to drop with no notation on your transcript is the end of week 3.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.

To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit: 


RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.