ABSTRACT
This chapter considers alternative ways in which learning activities can be represented in order to be shared. In particular it looks at a ‘learning design’ approach, where the aim is to build a formal description that can be handled by a computer and played to an end user. The strengths of this approach are considered in relation to the tools that are being developed to support the IMS Learning Design specification, and the portability of the resulting designs. The chapter goes on to consider an alternative approach that may have lower barriers to take-up by practitioners. ‘Patterns’ provide flexible descriptions that engage and challenge their users, and can be mapped to different contexts of use. A pilot patterns-based approach is described, whereby existing materials are reworked as online open content with patterns extracted and stored to assist the process of design in the future.
