The practice can be viewed as developmental processes where both individual and social levels are interlinked. Activity Theory can be used to provide a broad conceptual framework that can be used to describe the structure, development and context of tasks that are supported by a computerised system. Activity Theory offers the possible integration of many HCI theories and concepts, thus helping to maintain conceptual integrity in terms of design, evaluation and usage. The unit of analysis can be defined as an activity directed at an object that motivates the activity. Activities can be broken down into goal-directed actions that have to be undertaken in order to satisfy the object.
Actions are conscious and are implemented through automatic operations.
Activity Theory maintains that the elements of activity are not fixed but can change dynamically as conditions change. Instead it encompasses the socially and culturally determined properties also. Internalisation relates to the human being's ability to imagine, consider alternative approaches to a problem, perform mental simulations. Externalisation transforms an internalised action into an external one. Mediation Human activity is mediated by artefacts tools both internal and external.