A multicase study for the evaluation of a pattern-based visual design process for collaborative learning

Collage is a pattern-based visual design authoring tool for the creation of collaborative learning scripts computationally modelled with IMS Learning Design (LD). The pattern-based visual approach aims to provide teachers with design ideas that are based on broadly accepted practices. Besides, it seeks hiding the LD notation so that teachers can easily create their own designs. The use of visual representations supports both the understanding of the design ideas and the usability of the authoring tool. This paper presents a multicase study comprising three different cases that evaluate the approach from different perspectives. The first case includes workshops where teachers use Collage. A second case implies the design of a scenario proposed by a third-party using related approaches. The third case analyzes a situation where students follow a design created with Collage. The cross-case analysis provides a global understanding of the possibilities and limitations of the pattern-based visual design approach.

Research Highlights
► Collage is a pattern-based visual design authoring tool for the creation of collaborative IMS Learning Design scripts.
► Collage hides the LD notation so that teachers can easily create their own scripts based on broadly accepted didactic practices.
► A multicase study enables the evaluation of Collage from different perspectives (teachers, students, researchers)
► The cross analysis of three different cases provides a global understanding of the possibilities and limitations of the pattern-based visual design approach.