Designing a Pattern Language for Creative Learners

In this paper we propose a pattern language for learners who want to learn better without killing their creativity. In order to tell a ‘knack’ about the way of learning we apply the method of pattern language, which was originally proposed in architectural design and became famous in software design. Our proposed pattern language for creative learners, which we name “Learning Patterns”, consists of 40 patterns. Each pattern is described in the same format; pattern number, pattern name, introduction, illustration, context, problem, forces, solution, actions, and related patterns. As an practical application, we have handed out the catalog of the learning patterns to university students in Japan. In this paper, we show the overview of learning patterns and some examples. In addition, we discuss how these patterns can enable students to learn more creatively in everyday campus life based on the social system theory. Author