Semi-automated meta data

The problem / intent

Having meta-data attached to objects is very useful when you want to find something, but attaching that meta-date is tedious. This problem is particularly acute in game-based learning environments. Meta-data may be essential to your ability to analyse learning, but expecting learners to bother with it in the course of playing a game is highly unrealistic.

The context

Web-based collaborative environments.

The pattern

Design the interface for object management, and activities in which it is used, in such a way that meta-date is either:

• Inferred: Can automatically be derived from the workflow in which the object is created / invoked.
• Motivated: Offers clear and immediate benefits to the user.

For example,date and author can be inferred Name, short description and tags can be motivated. The former should be stored and displayed without user intervention, the latter should be encouraged.

Related patterns

Note the relationship to other patterns, using the appropriate qualifiers from this set -
Leads to: pattern a, pattern b. Patterns the user should consider after using this one.
Follows: Patterns the user should consider before using this one.
Elaborates: Higher lever patterns which would use this one as a component.
Elaborated by: More specific patterns which implement abstract elements of this one.

Examples

Link to case studies.