At my first Patterns for software design (PAFSD) class on 06-02-2007, Our lecturer, Dr. Sri introduced us to Patterns generally.
In Christopher Alexander's own words "Each pattern describes a problem which occurs over and over again in our environment, and then describes the core of the solution to that you can use this solution a million times over, without ever doing it the same way twice." [1]
[1] Christopher Alexander, A Pattern Language: Towns/Buildings/Construction, 1977, New York: Oxford University Press.
From the description given, a good pattern can be said to be a proven accepted solution to solve a recurring problem in a given context. If the context changes even if the problem is the same, then the solution changes too. The solution has to be appropriate to solve the current problem in the given context in order for it to be accepted as a good pattern.
Example of a Pattern.
Name: Teaching mentally retarded kids how to read music notes.
Problem: How to teach a mentally retarded kid how to read music notes easily?
Context: Teaching young kids how to write and read music is tedious. So teaching mental retarded is even much more difficult.
Mentally retarded kids find it diificult to remember things they are taught. .
Solution: start by teaching how to read the abc's of music. (i.e do, ra, me fa, so, la, ti do) go extremely slowly ensuring that the kid grasp each note in the trend before moving to next. Use exhaustive repetition to ensure what been taught sinks well and resides in the kid, as they easily forget.
4 comments:
Hi that is a good real life pattern. But I think for any subject we start from the basics to more complex stuff. Do not you think that pattern is applicable in every learning environment? I will catch up with you on my blog.
Cheers!
That's a good example of real lie pattern.
In replying to John Ssebaale; yes we follow patterns in our daily lives as well, be it study, learning, eating, traveling etc...we have a certain pattern which we follow
I found your pattern to be very good,keep up the good work.I do agree with John,your pattern is applicable in every learning environment.In reply to the comment you made on my blog about my two patterns,For the first one you said the solution will not work but I know that it does work as I played netball for more than 5years.The second one you said the solution is obvious but I do not think so as the student could have chosen to go to the laundrette instead of handwashing.Maybe you have applied this pattern in a similar situation and that is why you think its so obvious.Thanks for your comments,keep them coming.
Hi
Good day to you how was your study going. I have read through your pattern on how to Teach mentally retarded kids how to read music notes, it is a very intreasting pattern keep it up. I support your solution that the teacher should try to teach them stage by stage so that they can understand it more. If the teacher is fast in teaching them the wont understand anything. If he or she can try teaching them from the aphabent it will be better for them to understand it. They will remember all the teaching and this will enable them to read their note well. Your solution to me is good and it will help anybody in that position to teach the student with that kind of problem well.
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