Analysis of Design: An Exploration of Patterns and Pattern Languages for Pedagogy

Abstract

This paper describes and delineates patterns and pattern languages from different knowledge domains, and attempts to generate an understanding of why they are a distinctive and powerful way of sharing knowledge. It surveys several examples within the genre of Pattern Languages and analyses the unique characteristics of the form, with reference to the instances surveyed. From this basis, it makes the argument that a Pattern Language of Pedagogy is possible and achievable and that for historic and disciplinary reasons CS is singularly well positioned to create such a tool and a particularly fertile ground for its use.