Patterns, pattern languages and educational design

This paper introduces design patterns and pattern languages as conceptual tools to support educational design in the context of networked learning. The patterns-based approach has origins in the work of the architect and mathematician Christopher Alexander. More recently, others have developed ideas about the use of patterns in software engineering, pedagogy and online learning. This paper goes back to Alexander’s work and rediscovers some neglected aspects of the approach, that can be particularly helpful in encoding, sharing and using knowledge for educational design.