The problem / intent

Constructing narrative is a fundamental mechanism for making sense of events and observations. To leverage it, we must give learners opportunities to express themselves in narrative form.

The context

Web-based environments for collaborative learning.

The pattern

When designing environments for reflection, communication and collaboration, provide learners with a narrative space: a medium, integrated with the activity design, which allows learners to express and explore ideas in a narrative form:

• Allow for free-form text, e.g. by supporting Soft scaffolding.
• Choose Narrative representations when possible.
• Mark narrative elements in the medium:
  
• Clearly mark the speaker / author, to support a sense of voice.
  
• Date contributions to support temporal sequentiality ('plot').
• Use Semi-automated meta-data to provide context.
  

Related patterns

Leads to: Narrative representations, Active worksheet
Elaborates: Narrative

Notes

Examples

The WebReports system was designed according to this pattern.