This document summarizes the Pattern Language Network (PLaNet) project. It describes PLaNet as having 6 partners led by Janet Finlay at Leeds Met university, running for 15 months starting in January 2008 with ~£200k in funding. The purpose of PLaNet is to collaboratively construct a pattern language to make effective use of "web2.0" technologies in higher education through an iterative user-centered design process.

1. patternlanguagenetwork.org
(aka PLaNet)

2. Formalities
● 6 partners, led by Janet Finlay, Leeds met
● Large Second circle
– advisory board
– user group
● 15 months, starting Jan 2008, ~£200k
● Sponsored by JISC Emerge

3. Problem
Keep the rain out
Context
Cold, wet, poor.
Method of solution
Thatched roof
Related
Timber frame,
Slanted roof,
Chimney

4. Design patterns
[describe] a problem which occurs over and over
again in our environment, and then describes the
core of the solution to that problem, in such a way
that you can use this solution a million times over,
without ever doing it the same way twice
(Alexander et al., 1977)

5. example: activity nodes
Design problem
Community facilities scattered
individually through the city do
nothing for the life of the city.
Design solution
Create nodes of activity
throughout the community,
spread about 300 yards apart.
http://www.uni-weimar.de/architektur/InfAR/lehre/Entwurf/Patterns/030/ca_030.html

6. Patterns are..
● “Experts' common sense”
– if only common sense was common
● “Researchers situated abstraction”
● “Elements of reusable design”
● “Semi-structured narratives of good practice”

7. pattern are structured
• Problem / intent
• Context
• the Pattern
• Examples
• Related patterns
• Notes

9. The Learning Patterns project
http://lp.noe-kaleidoscope.org/
(Niall Winters, Dave Pratt, others)

10. The Learning Patterns project
● Problem: How to use games for mathematical
learning?
● Context: (mainly) constructionist, high-school.
● Method of solution: collaborative construction
of a pattern language.
http://lp.noe-kaleidoscope.org/

11. a language of patterns
6 typologies, 26 case studies, ~150 patterns

12. Example pattern: guess my X (GmX)
The problem / intent
quot; Sustaining a mathematical discussion is vital to
the establishment of socio-mathematical norms
and to the collaborative construction of
knowledge.
quot; This goal is difficult to achieve in
geographically distributed communities.

13. The problem / intent GmX: context
Sustaining a mathematical discussion is vital to the
establishment of socio-mathematical norms and to the
collaborative construction of knowledge. This goal is difficult to
achieve in geographically distributed communities.
quot; Assumes a degree of social and technical
sophistication.
quot; Suitable for young teens and above.
quot; Requires flexibility in time.
quot; Suitable for concrete, well-bounded content
domains.

14. GmX: the pattern
A Challenge exchange of Build this puzzles, using a
League chart to orchestrate social interaction.

15. PLaNet
● Problem: how to make effective use of
“web2.0”?
● Context: Higher Education
● Method of Solution: collaborative construction
of a pattern language.
● Detail: use IDR methodology + iterative user-
centred design of supporting technology.

16. Looks like a ...
● Problem: understanding the potential of a new
technology in education.
● Context: interdisciplinary design-based
research.
● Method of solution: IDR
Winters, N. and Mor, Y. (in press) 'IDR: a participatory methodology for
interdisciplinary design in technology enhanced learning'. Computers and
Education. (available on TeLearn)

17. IDR: Identify, Develop, Refine
● Domain experts create typologies – conceptual maps
of the domain in their vernacular.
● Practitioners contribute case studies of incidents
highlighting critical challenges.
● Peer discussion prompts elucidation of the problem
and context, by reference to the typologies.
● Patterns are identified by observing common problems
and methods of solution across cases.
● Patterns enriched and refined through community
process.
● (Half) the Knowledge is in the links.

18. Scenario: participatory pattern
elicitation
• How do you facilitate sustainable design-
level discussion of transferable best-
practice?
– Transcend anecdotes, avoid fluffy abstractions.
– Leverage innate cognitive & social learning
mechanisms.

19. Anton presents case study

20. Bob and Charlie discuss

21. Anton adds details (per template)

22. Charlie identifies parallels

23. All elicit patterns

24. Anton and Charlie submit patterns

25. Needs
• System for collaborative authoring of pattern
language and related knowledge structures.
• System for distributed code management /
release engineering.
• System for daily project communication
(documents, deliverables, co-ordination)

26. LP authoring system
• Supports collaborative authoring of typologies,
case studies, patterns, and pattern languages.
• Features:
– Templates
– Wiki-style links
– Structure (hierarchies + lateral links)
– Multiple views
– Roles (admin, author, discussant, guest)
– Versioning
– Tagging & rating

27. Typology: light semantic map
(glossary++ / ontology--)

28. Typology: map view

29. Typology: versions & discussion

30. Case study repository

31. Create new case

32. Case study template

33. Case study: discussion

34. Patterns browser

35. Patterns: map view

36. Patterns: admin / table view

37. Pattern template

38. Pattern + versions + discussion

39. LP system
• 90% support for the requirements.
• Written in PHP over CCI (non-standard
CMS, standard parts).
• http://lp.noe-kaleidoscope.org/workspace/

40. Missing
• Standards & interoperability (IMS, LAMS,
PLML)
• Visualisation of single pattern
• Tagging, notifications, bibliographic citations
• Multiple languages

41. Ergo
• Use LP as reference
• Implement fresh in Java, over existing open-
source wiki platform.
• Integrate with bibsonomy.org for tagging
• Instigate an open source process.

42. patternlanguagenetwork.googlecode.com

43. stickmen: a visual language for
design patterns?
1 2 3
6
4 5

44. PlaNet: the benevolent parasite
● Feeds on the experience of others.
● Offers other projects a method and opportunity
to formalize their insights.
● Facilitates open design knowledge.
– Open content: free fish.
– Open source: free rods.
– Open design: free knowledge to make rods.

45. http://patternlanguagenetwork.org