Understanding motivation and enabling action towards change
Social Technologies can be platforms for change as they facilitate actions and act as spaces for conversation and the dissemination of information. In this workshop paper we explore the concept of motivation in relation to our practice as technology designers. We are specifically interested in what...
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| Format: | Text |
| Language: | English |
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| Online Access: | http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/summary?doi=10.1.1.582.404 http://www.smallfire.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/greenpervasive2008_hagen_etal2.pdf |
| Summary: | Social Technologies can be platforms for change as they facilitate actions and act as spaces for conversation and the dissemination of information. In this workshop paper we explore the concept of motivation in relation to our practice as technology designers. We are specifically interested in what motivates people to take action, and how we can support that as technology designers. We frame our conversation about motivation, technology, and action towards sustainability by exploring two aspects of our design practice. The first aspect focuses on design research and using participatory methods such as Mobile Diaries to understand what motivates people to be involved, to take action, to contribute. The second aspect is the design of technologies, channels or tools that enable people to act upon their motivations effectively. We provide examples of this through case studies of our work. 1. Digital Eskimo and our stakeholders Digital Eskimo is a design agency with a commitment to working on projects we consider to be progressing humanity towards a nurturing (more than sustainable) way of being. To achieve this we practice ‘Considered Design’. This definition covers a number of aspects of how we approach our design and underlying company philosophy. It means we are ethics and values driven. The act of doing design is meaningful to us, over and above the notion of monetary profit. Our practice is grounded in, and informed by the principles of sustainability. We think that change is produced collectively, created through action, experience and sharing knowledge. And we think design can make a difference. Our clients are equally invested in social change and are often activists themselves, existing to promote or facilitate environmental or social causes. Many of our clients are non-government organisations and workers unions. Similarly the stakeholders, users or community members that we are designing for are also (often) interested in change- seeking action or ways to complete action. Our work talks to their ... |
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